Introduction

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an essential aspect of education that helps students develop the skills necessary to manage emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions. In this blog post, we will introduce two animal breathing exercises, Lion and Cat Breathing, which can help students calm down when they are upset or overwhelmed. These simple yet effective techniques are suitable for educators to use in the classroom or at home.

No-Prep Activity: Animal Breathing Exercises

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be done in any setting where students have room to move around.

Lion Breathing

1. Have students sit comfortably and put their “paws” up like a lion.
2. Guide them to take a big breath in.
3. Instruct them to stick out their tongue and breathe out like a quiet roar.
4. Repeat the process two more times, encouraging students to shake out their paws in between breaths.

Cat Breathing

1. Ask students to kneel on their hands and knees like a cat.
2. Guide them to breathe in, lift their chin, curve their back, and tilt their head back.
3. While breathing out, have them arch their back and tuck their head down, looking at their belly button.
4. Repeat the process two more times, emphasizing the curving and arching movements of the back.

Students can use these breathing exercises to help calm down when they are feeling upset or overwhelmed. Encourage them to practice these techniques whenever they need to regain composure or focus.

Discussion Questions

• How did you feel after practicing the lion and cat breathing exercises? Did they help you feel more calm and focused?
• When might you use these animal breathing exercises in your daily life? Can you think of specific situations where they would be helpful?
• Why do you think these breathing exercises are effective in calming us down? What other techniques or strategies can you use to manage your emotions?
• How can incorporating these animal breathing exercises into your daily routine benefit your overall well-being and academic performance?
• Can you think of any other animal-inspired breathing exercises or movements that could help promote calmness and focus?

Related Skills

The practice of animal breathing exercises is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Other relevant skills that educators can help students develop include:

• Mindfulness and meditation techniques
• Effective communication and active listening
• Empathy and compassion
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Goal setting and time management

Next Steps

If you found these animal breathing exercises helpful and would like to explore more SEL resources, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of various skill-building materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help educators create engaging and supportive learning environments that foster the development of essential life skills in their students.