How I Teach Basic Abdominal Breathing In My Yoga Classes

How I Teach Basic Abdominal Breathing In My Yoga Classes: Using Humour, Imagery & Symbolism

Greetings, my lovely Yogis, Yoginis, and Yoga teachers. I’m George Watts, a BWY yoga teacher and creator of the Online Yoga Lesson Planner, and the Blissful Breathing Card Deck.

In this post, I’ll show you how I teach basic abdominal breathing in my yoga classes using humour, imagery and symbolism.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Abdominal Breathing!

Alright, yogis, gather around! Today, we’re going to unlock the secret to calmer minds, happier lungs, and maybe even the ability to stay unbothered when someone takes the last biscuit. It’s called abdominal breathing, and it’s about to become your new best friend.

First things first—place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Now, take a deep breath in. If your chest just lifted like a proud peacock, we need to have a chat. What we’re after is belly movement—think of your stomach inflating like a lazy beach ball on a warm summer’s day.

Here’s a trick: Imagine you’ve just eaten a big slice of cake (yes, even the gluten-free, sugar-free kind). You’re sitting back, completely content, and your belly expands with a deep, satisfied sigh. That’s the feeling we’re after—relaxed, soft, and easy. No tight abs here, folks—this is the anti-six-pack workout!

As you exhale, picture your belly button being gently pulled toward your spine—like a jellyfish gracefully drifting back into the ocean. No force, no drama, just smooth, effortless movement.

Now let’s practice this together. Inhale, let that belly bloom like a hot air balloon rising into the sky… and exhale, let it float gently back down to earth. Ahh, feel that? That’s your nervous system thanking you.

If you ever feel stressed, overwhelmed, or like you might strangle your malfunctioning printer, just come back to this breath. Your belly will always be there, ready to rise and fall like the tides—no yoga mat required.

Here’s a computer animation showing abdominal breathing.

How To Do Basic Abdominal Breathing: Computer Animation

If you want to become a yogic breathing pro, you’ll definitely want to get my Blissful Breathing Card Deck…

Blissful Breathing Card Deck

The Blissful Breathing Card Deck is your go-to resource for mastering the art of pranayama (yogic breathing). With 41 beautifully designed cards, this card deck guides you through a wide variety of breathing techniques to enhance relaxation, focus, and vitality.

George’s Conclusion

Well, there you have it, my lovely fellow yoga teacher, or lover of yogic breathing.

We’ve explored how I teach abdominal breathing in my classes. It’s the go-to yogic breathing technique for most yoga teachers.

Hey, while you’re here, you might as well get your hands on 37 free Yoga lesson plans.

37 Free Yoga Lesson Plans

Below are 37 free downloadable yoga lesson plans that I’ve created for my own yoga classes using the Online Yoga Lesson Planner. Feel free to use them for your own yoga classes, or as inspiration to come up with your own yoga class themes.

Become A Peaceful Warrior Yoga Lesson Plan

Caterpillar To Butterfly Yoga Lesson Plan

How Heavy Is This Glass Of Water Yoga Lesson Plan

Surrender To Slowness Yoga Lesson Plan

You Don’t Need Permission To Shine: Just Show Up, Shine & Be Yourself

Abiciously Delicious Core Yoga Lesson Plan

Chair Yoga Lesson Plan I

Chair Yoga Lesson Plan II

Chair Yoga For Seniors Lesson Plan

Dolphin Yoga Lesson Plan

Sun Moon Yoga Lesson Plan

Sun Salutations Chair Yoga Lesson Plan