BEFORE YOU SAY TAKE A DEEP BREATH: WHAT CHILDREN NEED BEFORE BREATHING BECOMES A TOOL THEY USE FOR REGULATION. 

“Take a deep breath” is one of the most common things we say to a child who is anxious, angry, overwhelmed, or dysregulated. But what if a child hasn’t yet developed a relationship with their breath, or practiced accessing it when they feel safe and regulated?

In this three-hour experiential workshop, we’ll move beyond simply teaching children breathing techniques and explore what helps the breath become a meaningful and accessible tool for regulation.

Through a blend of nervous system science, reflection, experiential practice, and practical application, we’ll explore how breath reflects and influences nervous system state; why awareness, curiosity, and practice matter before we ask a child to “use their breath”; and how our own presence and relationship with breath are part of the process.

Participants will experience several simple, developmentally responsive breath practices and explore ways to introduce them with curiosity and play, before they’re needed in the heat of a difficult moment.

Designed for parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, and other adults who support children and adolescents. No previous experience with breathwork, yoga, mindfulness, or nervous system concepts is needed.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
  • Describe the relationship between breathing patterns and nervous system state, including how breath can both reflect and influence regulation.
  • Recognize why familiarity, interoceptive awareness, and practice are important before expecting a child to access the breath during stress or overwhelm.
  • Explore their own relationship with breath and consider how adult presence, modeling, and co-regulation shape a child’s experience.
  • Experience several accessible breath practices and identify different intentions for their use, rather than approaching breath as a one-size-fits-all “calm-down” strategy.
  • Identify developmentally responsive ways to introduce breath through curiosity and play, and practice outside of stressful moments.
  • Apply workshop concepts to real-life situations and identify a realistic starting point for bringing breath awareness and practice into home, school, therapeutic, or caregiving settings.

FACILITATOR
Jen Wilhelm Rapanos, LMSW, RCYT is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, registered children’s yoga teacher, mindfulness educator, and mom to two young adults, ages 30 and 20. She has worked in the mental health field since 2000, including 11 years as a school social worker and the past 10 years in private practice, with a particular focus on supporting children and adolescents experiencing anxiety and trauma.

Jen’s approach is grounded in the connection between mind and body. Her training and ongoing study include children’s and adult yoga, mindfulness, EMDR, nervous system regulation, breathwork, and other somatic-based practices. Just as importantly, she is committed to her own embodied practice and believes that the work we offer children begins with our willingness to explore and practice it ourselves.

Jen is the founder of Well-Bean, a group psychotherapy and training practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Well-Bean Mindful Yoga School, which offers a 95-hour Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) training. Over the years, she has provided professional development and experiential workshops for educators, mental health professionals, parents, and others who care for and support children.

Well-Bean began in Midland in 2014, offering yoga and mindfulness programming for children and families. Jen is especially glad to return to where it all began and offer this workshop in partnership with Midland Yoga Collective.
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DATE + LOCATION + COST + REGISTRATION 
Our workshop will be held on Saturday, October 10, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at
Midland Yoga Collective, located at 705 Bayliss Street, Suite 200, Midland, Michigan.

Doors will open 15 minutes before the workshop. Come a little early to settle in, grab a cup of tea, and get comfortable before we begin.

​Registration ends on Friday, October 9th. 

The workshop investment is $90, and advance registration is required.
To keep the experience personal and allow plenty of space for reflection, conversation, and practice, registration is limited to 15 participants.