Rabbit breathing: a playful energy boost for children 🐰

Breathe in… sniff out: what Bunny breathing does for your child

There are those mornings when your child wakes up… and actually just wants to go back to sleep. Or afternoons when the energy poof suddenly disappears. Sound familiar? Then I have a small, playful game-changer for you.

Bunny breathing isn't a boring "take a deep breath" exercise, but a cheerful sniffing ritual that helps children get back into their bodies, find their focus, and get an energy boost – without having to resort to a screen or a sugar bar.

And you know what the best part is? Children want to do this. Because it doesn't feel like an exercise. But like… playing. 🐇✨

STEP-BY-STEP: how exactly do you do Bunny breathing?

Bunny breathing (also known as "Bunny Breaths") is an active breathing exercise where you quickly and briefly inhale through your nose, followed by a long exhalation through your mouth.

Here's how it works:

1. Sniff in quickly three times through your nose (as if you're a curious bunny).
2. Exhale slowly through your mouth.
3. Repeat this three times.
4. Feel what happens...

Finished? Then you'll quickly notice: your child is more awake, more alert, and at the same time calmer. Exactly what you need in those meh moments.

Why this breathing works so well (and is fun)

The power of Bunny breathing lies in its simplicity and its effect on the nervous system.

🧠 Energy boost: By inhaling quickly, you increase oxygen in the blood. This activates the brain and gives your child a natural pick-me-up.
🧘 Calming effect: The slow exhalation helps the body calm down again. That's self-regulation in action.
🎉 Playful and child-friendly: No "breathe deeply in, breathe out" instruction. Just… sniffing like a bunny. And that's what they actually want to try.

From the Full of Yoga syllabus, it appears that children can only truly learn to relax once they have moved and feel their body well. Bunny breathing perfectly bridges that gap: move, feel, and calm down.

When do you use Bunny breathing?

This exercise is ideal for moments when your child:

• just woke up but is still in dreamland,
• has an energy dip after a busy play session,
• is bored and doesn't want to do "anything",
• or just needs that little push to focus on school or homework again.

Teachers also use this in the classroom as a yoga intermezzo – as a natural reset between two lessons.

👉 Bonus: you don't have to set anything up. No mats, no screen, no preparation. Just: sit down, sniff, and move on.

Make it even more fun: breathe and color at the same time 🎨

Want to make it a mini-mindful moment? Combine Bunny breathing with Full of Yoga's coloring pages with breathing exercises.

– Your child colors in their favorite breathing card
– Hangs it up as a visual reminder (calming anchor)
– And learns playfully what works in a stressful or difficult moment

A super nice way to incorporate yoga and mindfulness into your daily routine – without any hassle.

👉 View the breathing exercise cards and download the coloring pages with breathing exercises here.

Sniff along yourself

Curious what Bunny breathing can do for your morning routine or school day? Try it together. Set an alarm, sniff like bunnies, and see what it does for you.

💛 You can find the cards and coloring pages here on our website.

Sniffs in the nose, calm in the body

Bunny breathing is small, simple, and fun – and precisely because of that, so powerful. It brings children back into their bodies, helps them focus, and gives a natural energy boost when needed. No screens, no sugar, no stress.

Try it this week:
👉 When did your child benefit from a small reset?

Let me know in the comments or via Instagram (@liesbeth.fullofyoga).

I'd love to sniff along with you. 🐰💛

Breathing Exercise Card Set for Children – Playful Way to Calm

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Coloring Pages with Breathing Exercises – Printable Moments of Calm

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