Amy Dickson | Take a Breath
Take a Breath started in 2015 as a program designed to teach relaxed breathing techniques to primary school-aged children, in order to help them combat and build a resilience to stress and anxiety.
“Generally when babies are born, they have a pretty good respiratory mechanism – they use their diaphragm. As they get older, often as the result of physical and emotional trauma, their breathing patterns shift subconsciously. Through the Take a Breath program we make children aware of their breathing and also of this physiological shift. We teach them how and when to use relaxed breathing in everyday life, especially as a tool to help themselves in times of stress and anxiety. During the sessions I am also able to introduce them to classical music. It is incredible to watch the way they delight in both the breathing exercises and the music.” —Amy Dickson
Amy has designed the Take a Breath program to help equip young children in their formative years with simple yet invaluable breathing techniques which encourage them to breathe in an optimal way. The idea is that they will carry these tools with them into teenage years and adulthood, thus providing a useful support in dealing with situations which may cause stress and anxiety, such as preparing for impending examinations. She has taught ‘Take A Breath’ in primary schools throughout the UK, Australia and Asia and has been encouraged by the overwhelming support she received for the scheme from teachers and pupils alike.
Amy first embarked on a breathing awareness regime herself, having realized that the breathing techniques she uses when performing help overcome performance anxiety. She realized that she could pass on the message of the importance of optimal breathing and that by starting with primary school children, this could make a meaningful difference to their overall wellbeing.
Here is a sample format of a Take a Breath session adaptable for an assembly, classroom, or concert hall session -
Amy introduces the saxophone and performs a short lively piece of music
Amy introduces Miss Ellie, an elephant playing a saxophone. Miss Ellie breathes in gently through her trunk and gives a long breath out through her mouth. These are called Elephant Breaths.
Amy asks everyone to try three Elephant Breaths. Teachers are asked to join in.
Miss Ellie has a straight back and her shoulders are always down. Air should go all the way down into their tummy; the children put their hands on their tummies so they can feel them expand when the air goes in; they watch Amy’s tummy expand when she breathes in.
Amy conducts three Elephant Breaths again, this time ensuring the air makes everyone’s tummies expand.
When we breathe out a long breath through the mouth we don’t want to make too much noise and the breath must be smooth. Miss Ellie doesn’t breathe out like this <harsh squawk on the saxophone>; she breathes out like this <beautiful smooth scale on the saxophone>.
Amy conducts another three Elephant Breaths remembering: straight back; shoulders down; breathe in gently through the nose; make the tummies expand; long breath out through the mouth smoothly and quietly.
Amy performs a second piece of music.
Q&A to discuss when Elephant Breaths might be useful during the week, either in school or at home.
For more information, visit amydickson.com/take-a-breath