Mumma Monday: It all Begins with a Breath

If you think about it, everything begins with a breath. A pregnant woman begins getting contractions, she is told to breathe. A new mum and dad wait eagerly for a first cry out to know their new babe is breathing. A yoga instructor guides their participants at the start of class to centre and focus on their breath.

The funny thing is, most of us are never actually taught how to breathe. We may learn in school the biology of oxygen exchange, but not how to breathe. Our bodies know we must breathe to live...

"Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Forget this and attaining Enlightenment will be the least of your problems." ~ author unknown.

However, our breath is so powerful and without understanding it, or how to use it, we are unable to unleash its power.

Just by learning to breathe, (referred to as pranayama in yoga) you can soothe anxiety, calm emotion, lower heart rate, reduce stress, increase lung capacity, quiet the brain, increase/decrease body, etc. Sounds pretty good, yes?

How can we teach our children to breathe? Look for the little opportunities...

Newborns and babes: Lay with your little one on your chest so that they feel themselves moving with your breath.  Exaggerate and lengthen your breath so they feel your breath on their skin too, utilizing other senses. (like you need another excuse for a snuggle!)

Toddlers: Get your little yogini to breathe with you.  Toddlers love to mimic you (especially 12-18 months). See if you can get them to follow you as you change your breathing patterns...long slow breaths, quick shorter breaths.  When you notice them getting really worked up or frustrated in life, come down onto your knees face to face and get them to breathe with you for a few breaths.  Tell them what you are doing too so that, overtime, they understand this tool you are giving them!  You will notice a huge change in their demeanor almost instantly and it will force you to slow down and focus on your breath too!

Little ones: The breathing technique listed for toddlers works really well with older kids too...just modify your language to suite.  Other ideas are to verbally guide your little ones through a few breaths while they lay with their eyes closed just before going to bed, or sit together and practice some pranayama.  Find a book with a lot of photos or a DVD to guide you, if you are unfamiliar with pranayama, and explore together!

Taking a moment to focus on your breath while teaching your little yogini to do the same, empowers your child with tools to take care of themselves; helping them create a healthly, lifelong body-mind-spirit connection.

Now, take three deep breaths. Focus on making each inhalation deep and slow...for the exhalations just let go...



*insert happy, relaxed sigh here*