ALPHABREATHS

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)