Dragons are said to breathe fire, and so can you (sort of) when you do this pose.
Instructions
- Sit comfortably in any of the seated postures.
- Place your hands on your belly.
- Breathe out through your nose with a strong snort as you gently push your belly back towards your spine.
- Focus on your breath as it goes out. A little bit of air will naturally sneak into your nose after each outward dragon breath, so you don’t need to think about inhaling, it will happen naturally.
- Do the Dragon Breath 3-6 times. Then breathe in and out normally.
- Repeat.
- Add more dragon breaths and rounds as you feel comfortable. You will notice that your dragon breath will get stronger and longer with practice.
Notes for Parents and Teachers
This breathing pose is a really good belly toner. It’s also excellent for aiding your child’s elimination system, especially for constipation. Only do this breath on an empty stomach. If you get lightheaded, it’s just because you’re getting more oxygen than you’re used to. If this happens, breathe in and out normally and rest.
Activity Ideas for Home or Classroom
Awesome Anatomy
Our intestines absorb nutritious elements from our food into our bodies. Dragon Breath helps us clean the walls of the intestines. It loosens undigested particles that can clog things up, and helps move them out. The intestines are about 20 feet long, but they are coiled up so they can fit inside our bodies.
Musical Musings
As you snort in the Dragon Breath use different rhythms. Snort fast. Snort slow. In music terms, staccato means faster. Adagio means slower. Mix up your adagio and staccato dragon breaths — make a pattern and play your belly like a musical instrument.
Laughing Language
The yoga word “prana” means energy, vitality, life-force. When you practice breaths like the dragon, which make you feel awake and alive, that is the prana. Can you whisper the word “prana” as you exhale and snap your belly back in the Dragon Breath?