I am Whitney and we are going to pause and take a few minutes to focus on our breathing.
While working in an elementary school I have noticed that our kids can have a lot of challenges that they are facing.
This can be challenges either at school,
In the classroom,
On the bus,
On tests or homework,
In the lunchroom,
On the playground or even at home.
Today we are going to practice a tool that you can use to help you calm your mind and body.
Before we begin I want for you to take some time to find a comfortable seated position.
Feel free to sit in a chair or on the floor.
Once you are seated and comfortable I want for you to place both of your hands on top of your thighs.
If it is okay with you I want to invite you to close your eyes all the way or just a little bit.
During this meditation I am going to ask you a few questions.
When I ask you these questions I want for you to answer yourself in your head.
That way you can answer honestly without anyone hearing your time with yourself.
Our first question is how are you feeling right now?
What happened or what is happening that is making you feel the way that you feel?
Do you like this feeling?
What can you do to feel a better feeling?
Today with our time together we are going to practice balloon breathing.
I want for you to start by imagining that there is a balloon inside of your belly.
This balloon can be any color that you like.
Gently place your hands on your belly.
As you take a breath in feel your belly and your balloon deflating.
As you breathe out feel your belly blowing up.
Repeat this a few times.
Breathe in.
Your belly and your balloon deflates.
Breathe out.
Your belly and your balloon is blowing up.
Continue breathing in and out and allowing for your balloon to fill up and for your balloon to deflate.
This is one thing that you can do if you do not like a feeling that you are feeling.
Continue to breathe in and out and feel your balloon deflating and blowing up.
As you continue breathing I want for you to think of a happy message.
This can be a happy message to your mom,
Your dad,
Your brother or sister,
Your teacher,
Maybe your grandparents or friends or this can even be a happy message to yourself.
Place your happy message inside of your balloon and with your breath imagine that message being sent to that person or to yourself.
We're going to breathe in and breathe out.
One more time we're going to breathe in and breathe out.
As we end our meditation I want for you to open your eyes and I want for you to say out loud I am loved.
I am loved.
I hope that you have the best day ever and know that I love you.
