Breathing exercises are a great way to relax, introspect and relieve stress for both kids and adults. The element of fun is added to these exercises by smiling, laughing or having pleasant thoughts while doing them. To get the benefits of calm and relaxation that these fun breathing exercises offer, they should be done sitting up in a comfortable position for 10 to 20 minutes, at least once a day or more often if needed.
Directed Breathing
Sit still and direct your breathing, sending it to different body parts. This can help to relax tight muscles and relieve physical stress. Combine your breathing with visualization imagery that can include color, light, warmth or other pleasant feelings and direct them to specific areas of the body for mental relaxation. Like adults, children can also benefit from the calming effects of visualization and directed breathing.
Aromatherapy
Use either a real flower or a silk flower with a drop of essential oil for this breathing exercise. In a comfortable sitting position hold a flower in your hand and inhale its aroma. If you prefer use a stick of cinnamon or other natural aroma like vanilla placed in a cup and inhale its scent. Incense and scented candles can also be used in the room, but should not be inhaled directly. Adults can use this exercise to teach children the benefits of taking calming breaths by connecting it to a positive experience like smelling a flower.
Laughter Yoga
Release pent up feelings and inhibitions toward laughter by accentuating diaphragmatic movement and changing breathing patterns while you're laughing. An international movement called Laughter Yoga promotes the benefits of this exercise. According to them laughter promotes the release of pent up emotions through harmless catharsis. More information can be found at their website laugtheryoga.org.
Meditate on Positive Thoughts
Preferably done while sitting, breathe in and focus on a positive phrase like, "I am at peace." As you breathe out, release the thought. You can repeat your phrase in your mind whenever you want to relax or interrupt negative thought patterns. This exercise is ideal because it can be done any time you want to dissipate the feel anxious, like before or during a medical procedure.
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