Printable breathing exercises

Which printable breathing exercises are there?

Four sets for adults, one for kids and a poster. Each PDF opens in a new tab. Print it, then cut along the dashed lines.

Set	The cards	Print
Even rhythms	Coherent breathing, slow breathing (6-6), alternate nostril breathing, interval breathing	Cards, 1 page
A longer out-breath	4-6 breathing, pursed-lip breathing, grounding breathing, humming bee breath, 4-2-6 breathing	Cards, 2 pages
With holds	Box breathing, triangle breathing, 4-7-8, anchor breathing, 4-4-6, 4-4-6-2	Cards, 2 pages
Sighs and energising breaths	Physiological sigh, energising breath	Cards, 1 page
Kids: breaths to trace and play	Star, rainbow, five-finger, lazy 8, box, balloon, flower and candle, bumble bee	Cards, 2 pages
Box breathing poster	One big square and five steps, for a wall	Poster, 1 page

Some sets also have a blank card, so you can write in your own count.

Is there a box breathing PDF?

Yes, two: a card in the With holds set, and a poster for the wall. Box breathing is in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, rest for 4. To follow it with a timer, open the box breathing guide or the Breathform app.

Are there breathing exercise cards for kids?

Yes, eight, for children from about 2. Most have a shape to trace with a finger, so the breath stays slow without counting. Each one also has its own page with an animation, like star breathing. For tips, see breathing exercises for kids.

Can I print breathing exercises for my classroom?

Yes. Print as many as you like for your class, school, clinic or team, and keep the Breathform name on them. A set by the door or in a calm corner works well. For short routines, see breathing exercises for the classroom. To show a breath on a screen, use the breathing GIFs.

What goes on a breathing card?

Only what helps in the moment: the name, the count in big numbers, the shape of the breath and three or four short steps. There’s nothing to fill in, except on the blank card.

Questions people ask

Are these breathing cards free to share?

Yes. Print as many as you like for your home, classroom, clinic or team, and share the PDFs or a link to this page. Please share them as they are, with the Breathform name on them, so anyone who finds a card can look up the full guide and the guided timer behind it.

What size are the cards?

Each card is A6, a quarter of an A4 sheet: about the size of a postcard. The PDFs print four cards to an A4 page, with dashed lines to cut along. On US Letter paper, choose Fit to page when you print.

Which printable breathing exercise is best for kids?

Star or rainbow breathing for most children aged 4 to 8: they trace the shape with a finger, which keeps the breath slow without any counting. Balloon breathing suits younger ones. Keep holds short or leave them out for little children. Breathing exercises for kids has more ideas and how to introduce them.

Can I laminate the cards?

Yes, and it’s worth it for cards that live in a classroom, a kitchen or a car. Print on card if you can, cut, then laminate. Children can trace the star or the rainbow on a laminated card with a whiteboard pen and wipe it clean afterwards.