Starfish Breathing

Starfish Breathing 1. Make a starfish with one hand, fingers spread wide. 2. Put the index finger from the other hand on the outer base of the thumb. 3. We are going to trace the outline of our starfish hand. Keep looking at your pointer finger while you do your breathing. 4. Inhale (finger traces to top of thumb). 5. Exhale (finger traces down the other side of thumb). 6. Repeat until you have traced the outline of the starfish hand. • Learners are synchronizing their movement, breath, and gaze. On the inhale, index finger and eyes trace upward along a finger; on the exhale, index finger and eyes trace downward along a finger. Each upward movement is coupled with an inhale, whereas each downward movement is coupled with an exhale. • After Starfish Breathing, you can have learners rest their hands on their chest, continuing to breathe mindfully, as they silently recall three things for which they are thankful.

*From Pure Brain Breaks