What happens when we are worried, scared, or nervous? We hold our breath. Holding our breath protects us from danger as it makes us more able to take a punch or kick,
but why would you need to do this when in math class? People are always holding their breath, but most often it is not good for us. It makes us tighter and slower.
What can you do instead? Practice these three breathing techniques one time, and throughout this week.
- Every morning take 5 big belly breaths through your mouth before getting out of bed. This gives us an energy boost and sets the stage for a day of good breathing.
- Every single time you sit down to have a meal, take 3 long slow relaxing breaths – in through the nose and out through the mouth.
- Anytime you feel anxious or scared or nervous you take a “breath-break” – close your eyes, visualize your happy place (maybe sitting by a campfire) and take 3 “Zen breaths”. Every time you breathe in, visualize blue or green light coming into your body (the healing/calming/magic/good energy), and when you breathe out visualize cloudy and grey air (the worry, anger, sadness, and bad stuff) coming out. As you breathe out, feel your body relax and melt like butter.
– Written by Kumar Bandyo