I recently had the privilege of attending a two day conference at Lewis and Clark College called Yoga Calm. Yoga calm is a unique blend of yoga, social skill games, counseling, and fitness for kids. It helps all kids learn leadership, trust and empathy, mindfulness, and helps with stress reduction.  I think this class and its techniques are very useful for nurses, teachers, moms, and child care professionals.

An activity I learned and have used in my clinical practice is called Volcano Breath. Volcano Breath helps children suffering from anxiety have control over their own body by focusing on their breathing. Going through the motions listed below helps kids create balance within themselves, find control in stressful situations, and decreases their anxious feelings. Teaching these principals to families gives them coping skills to take home to use again and again.

Now you give it a try:

Volcano Breath

1. Stand with feet hip-width apart, or sit in a chair or cross legged on the floor.
2. Place Palms together at the heart.
3. Take a slow, deep breath through the nose and pause when the lungs are full.
4. Hold the pause and bring the arms up over the head.
5. Exhale and slowly “explode the Volcao,” moving arms out to the side and back together at the heart.

In Health, 

Tara Arnold RN