The breath is our constant anchor to bring us back into the present moment. Peace is always available in the present moment.
The breathing stick is an activity I did with my students to reinforce the self-regulating power of breath awareness. The student moves the beads along the pipe cleaner with each breath in and out. When a student is using the breathing stick, it helps her re-focus on the present moment and pulls her away from any stimulus in her environment (anger, irritation, excitement, etc.). I tell my students, “Remembering to breathe intentionally, short times, many times, throughout the day is an anchor and is self-regulating.”
Students can put the breathing stick on their back pack, key chain, locker hook, etc. I wanted them to have an easy tool that can help them breathe any time - at school or at home.
Here’s a short video of my student, Kamille, demonstrating the breathing stick: