Breath Practice:
Lion’s Breath
Lion’s Breath
Lion’s Breath is a powerful and fun practice that is an invitation for lightness, fun, and letting go of what other’s think, which may lead to an increase in confidence. The practice can help reduce stress and anxiety and can help relieve the tension in the jaw and the neck.
Invitation for lightness and fun
Increases confidence
Reduces stress and anxiety
Reduces stress in the jaw and neck
Instructions:
1. Find your seat, finding a position that is both alert and relaxed, in which your spine is one long line from your seat through the crown of your head so the breath can travel freely and deeply.
2. Take a few mindful breathes to start in the way that feels best to you. Perhaps take inhales through the nose and exhales out of the mouth with a sigh. Try to make long, balanced, and mindful breathes.
3. Inhale through the nose, exhale out a “Ha” sound. Do this 3 times.
4. To make a Lion’s Breath, Inhale in through the nose, exhale out of the mouth, lengthening the tongue out and down, gazing upward. Take 3-5 rounds of Lion’s Breath.
5. Let go of your Lion’s Breath and let your breath breathe naturally on its own.
6. Notice how you feel, bat your eyelashes open softly if they have been closed, and rejoin the space.
Inhale deeply while making fists with your palms forward by your face.
As you exhale spread your fingers wide and open your mouth and extend your tongue.
Inhale with your fists and mouth closed. Exhale with your fists and mouth open, tongue extended.
Repeat this pattern of breath a few more times.
Teaching Cues for Students
Implementation & Development
See our Child Development Page for more information to help tailor your instruction to best meet the needs of your students.
All children learn best given clear, concise, instructions, trying to reduce directional cues down to 4 steps.
Enjoys learning through games, songs, and stories. Cues for Lion’s Breath can be woven into a song, built into a classroom routine. Lessons integrating ELA components with themes of courage or other lion qualities and characteristics can be fun and engaging.
Lion’s Breath can be done standing or on all fours if there is a clean space on the ground such as a personal yoga mat that children can use.
Keep cues limited, simple, and be consistent with your working to help build a predictable routines. Modeling and pointing to the body parts you are engaging is useful.
Still enjoy routine, learning through games, group activity.
Appreciates praise and being noticed. After you teach the Lion’s Breath, and students are comfortable and familiar, you may engage student leaders to guide the group.
Slightly longer attention spans, may be able to take in more instructions. You might invite students to notice the connections between the Lion’s Breath practice, how they feel, and the quality of their minds, and feelings. You can also build connections in lessons between inner-strength, courage and resilience as these can be equated as lion-like qualities.
As adolescence begins and continues, students will start to feel preoccupied with body image. It is important to cultivate a safe space for students to practice the Lion’s Breath where they don’t feel singled out and they have the option to close their eyes or to soften their gaze. If using this breath practice with older children, it is important to highlight that this practice is an invitation for playfulness and fun. Students may feel self-conscious during the practice.
As students assert a greater level of autonomy, it is important to build in more opportunities for choice and agency. If possible give students options as which breathing practice they would like to explore., or choices within that practice. This can be as simple as choosing their count, choosing the direction of the count, etc.
Video
Options
Lion’s Breath can be done standing, seated, or on all fours, if there is a clean surface on the ground for children to access such as a personal yoga mat.
Precautions
Respiratory inflammation: practice moderately
Sinus congestion: breathe through the mouth as needed
Content from NYCDOE YMTP² curricular materials
Helpful Hints
Never overdo any breathing exercise or force your breath into a pattern that is uncomfortable. If you begin to feel anxious or lightheaded, stop practicing and breathe normally.
Practice with self-compassion and non-judgement.