Alphabreaths

April 15, 2019
Each letter of the alphabet offers an opportunity for mindful breathing. Much like Teresa Power and Kathleen Rietz's The ABCs of Yoga for Kids (2009), this text offers instruction in lieu of narrative. Each fully illustrated page presents a letter, the name of a breath that begins with that letter, and a very brief instruction for how to practice the breath. "A [is for] Alligator Breath / Open your arms wide like alligator jaws on the in-breath. Snap them shut on the out-breath." Most breaths use imagery that draws on familiar animals and everyday experiences most children will recognize, such as blowing out a candle or riding in an elevator. Some are less universal in terms of the background knowledge they draw from, such as "Oatmeal Breath" and "Redwood Breath." Illustrations are soft and gentle, including kids of varied skin tones. Minus the unfortunate cultural appropriation with the inclusion of "Ninja Breath," no indicators of children's ethnicity or culture are present. The book lacks any information or guidance about mindfulness or how to use the specific breaths, which may limit its utility for casual readers. However, for educators and other adults searching for simple, age-appropriate breathing techniques to share with young children, this resource is a treasure trove. Simple and accessible techniques for breathing your way through the alphabet. (Picture book. 4-8)

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