Activity 1.3.1:

Breathing

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Overview

This activity is for teachers and educators. It is a prerequisite and a foundational activity for all other activities related to climate emotions to be effective, impactful and not lead to more traumas or re-traumatization. It involves the acquisition of knowledge regarding one’s own emotional and mental wellbeing, and that of one’s learners. It also entails the creation of a different culture in relation to emotions in the classroom. Last, it requires the mapping and establishment of an emotional support system for teachers and educators, as well as for their learners, so as to further build safety, as part of trauma-informed practices.

Curriculum linkage

Civics & Social Studies, Civics & Social Studies, Physical Education & Health, Physical Education & Health Any discipline or class during which climate change is discussed.

Competences built

Compassion, Emotional regulation, Self-compassion

Prep

  • Prepare by practicing yourself regularly.

Competences/activities to practice first by the teacher

Steps in the activity

  1. Try it out

Step 1 – Try it out

Breathing: When you breathe mindfully, you focus your attention on only one thing: your in-breath and out-breath. This is concentration on your breath. It helps you to focus and at the same time become aware of our interconnectedness. Like all practices, it has to be voluntary and one can offer some flexibility (e.g., not engaging, sitting, standing, moving) to accommodate for different needs and capacities. Please note that deep breathing, particularly in a group, may not be a good exercise for students who have suffered different trauma or may be neurodiverse. 

Possible instructions:

  1. Let’s take a moment to settle into our seats. Find a comfortable posture—upright yet relaxed. 
  2. Feel the strength of your back supporting you, while allowing your front to soften. 
  3. Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Sense the connection to the earth.
  4. Rest your hands on your thighs with ease. 
  5. Close your eyes if that feels comfortable or keep them slightly open, softly gazing downward. 
  6. Notice how your body feels in this position. 
  7. Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, release as much as you can, all unnecessary tension in your body. Let yourself settle in. Take 2–3 more deep breaths. 
  8. Now, bring your attention to the sensation of your breath. Notice the air entering through your nose or mouth, filling your lungs. Feel where the sensations of your breath are most clearly felt — at or in your nose, chest, or belly. As you breathe, imagine the natural process that makes your breath possible. The oxygen you inhale comes from trees and plants, connecting you to the natural world. With every breath out, you give carbon dioxide back to the trees. This quiet exchange reminds you of your deep connection with the environment. Reminds us of the interdependence we have with nature. Giving and taking. 
  9. If your mind starts to wander, that’s okay. Gently guide your attention back to your breath each time. No need to judge—just return to the simple act of breathing.
  10. As you inhale, imagine calmness filling your body. As you exhale, let go of any stress. Feel how you and nature are part of a cycle of giving and receiving, sharing the air we breathe. Sharing this planet as a whole family.
  11. Now, as we breathe together, notice other sensations in your body. Can you feel your clothes against your skin, or the gentle rhythm of your heartbeat? Simply observe these feelings, moment by moment. 
  12. Let’s continue for a few more moments, allowing the breath to connect us to the natural world. Also notice how your thoughts, your feelings and your bodily sensations are interconnected.
  13. Now, slowly begin to bring your awareness back to the room. Wiggle your fingers and toes, stretch if you’d like, and open your eyes when ready.
  14. Take a brief moment to remember that the same air that sustains you also sustains everything around you. We are all connected through this breath.

You can return to this simple breathing practice anytime you need to feel calm, grounded, or connected to the world around you.

For small children
For younger children, the practice can be adjusted to be shorter, and using imagination can be helpful. For example, imagine the belly as a balloon that expands when inhaling and contracts when exhaling. You could also invite them to place a small object or a book on their belly and watch it rise and fall with their breath. Using a singing bowl can also help; ask the children to focus on their breath as long as the bowl sings, and whoever notices the sound fading can raise their arm. These visual or sound elements make the experience more concrete and enjoyable for children. Or be a “nose-scientist” exploring where exactly the inbreath touches the nose.

Dos and Don’ts

Adaptations

We invite you to adapt this activity to the specific needs of your learners, including by taking into account their neurodiversity. When adapting tools and activities for neurodivergent learners, please note it is not about treating others how you want to be treated, but how they want to be treated. Ask, listen, and stay open to different ways of learning and engaging.

References

The above meditation was created in cooperation between the Inner Green Deal gGmbh, Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS) and its Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program. They are based on practices from the Mindfulness-Based Sustainable Transformation program, diverse Climate Leadership programs (e.g., developed for the European Commission, The UNDP Conscious Food Systems Alliance and the Inner Development Goals Initiative) as well as work with the Awaris GmbH and their resilience program.

A learner climbing a tree and looking out at the nature area. Photo by Tetiana Byts.

Basic Info

  • Age range: 6+
  • Duration: Short (less than 45 minutes), One or two lessons (around 45-90 minutes)
  • Group size: Flexible

  • Level of difficulty: Basic, Medium/Intermediate, Advanced

  • Materials/space required: –
  • Location: Flexible

  • Engagement of external stakeholders: Optional

Mindfulness practitioners could be invited to lead some practices.