I written in my blogThe Importance of Breath and it is just as important for children as it is for adults. During a Loulibelle Yoga class, whether it be for a baby or a toddler I use various props to help breath control. By far the most popular with Mums and Tots are the Butterflies. They are made out of tissue paper, the children hold their hand flat, palm up and are taught to take a breath in and the breath out underneath the Butterfly wings. The aim is for them to get the Butterfly to float as high in the air as possible. The reason it is so effective is because the children have to slow down and concentrate on how they are breathing. If the try to blow rather than breath out the chances are they will make the Butterfly damp with spittle, however if they do a long controlled breath out the Butterfly will soar. If you've ever watched your little one sleep, you will notice thats they breath their tummies and not their chests rise. This is Belly Breathing and it is the healthiest way for all of us to breath. It means we get air to the bottom of our lungs and clear out all the stale air and debris like dust that we collect throughout the day.  An excellent way to get older children and adults to breath deeply like this is during the relax at the end of a class. Every person has a small toy duck placed on their tummy. As you breath in your little duck will rise and as you breath out your duck will sink. Children often managed to lie really still when they are concentrating on making their duck rise and fall. Occasionally you have to tell them to slow down and reduce the pace of their breathing, but some soothing music can help with this. I often use this technique of Belly breathing to calm down little ones after a bad dream or if they are unable to fall asleep. Try it for yourself, head to the bathroom, grab your bath-time duck and practise your belly Breathing, see how much calmer it makes you. |
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