PatioLab
Home › Activity library › Cool-downs for Middle School › 5-Minute Breathing Mindfulness

5-Minute Breathing Mindfulness

Five-minute mindfulness practice focused on the breath and body sensations.

PhaseCool-down
Duration6 min
Ages12–16
SpaceGym or classroom
EquipmentNo equipment
IntensityLow

How to play

  1. Sit comfortably with a straight back, eyes closed or gaze lowered.
  2. Bring your attention to the air moving in and out of your nose.
  3. When your mind wanders, gently come back to the breath.
  4. Briefly share how you feel.

Rules

Variations

Easier

2 minutes, guided.

Standard

5 minutes, guided.

Harder

5 minutes in silence without guidance.

Adaptations

Learning goals

Add this activity to your lesson

PatioLab has "5-Minute Breathing Mindfulness" and 599 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.

More cool-downs for Middle School

4-7-8 Guided Breathing

⏱ 5 min👥 Ages 8–12📍 Any space
Equipment: No equipment

Guided 4-7-8 breathing: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 and breathe out for 8 to calm the group.

Breathing Low intensity

5-5-5 Breathing with Visualization

⏱ 6 min👥 Ages 12–16📍 Any space
Equipment: No equipment

5-5-5 breathing (inhale, hold and exhale for five counts each) with a calming visualization.

Breathing Low intensity

5-Senses Mindfulness

⏱ 8 min👥 Ages 8–12📍 Gym or classroom
Equipment: No equipment

5-senses mindfulness: students notice 5 things they see, 4 they hear, 3 they can touch, 2 they smell and 1 they taste.

Focus Low intensity

Analysis of Rights in Sport (High School)

⏱ 10 min👥 Ages 13–16📍 Gym or classroom
Equipment: No equipment

Looking at rights in sports: access, equality, child protection and non-discrimination.

Focus Low intensity

Anterior Trunk Chain Stretching

⏱ 8 min👥 Ages 12–16📍 Gym or classroom
Equipment: yoga mats

Stretches for the front of the body: abs, chest and hip flexors.

Flexibility Low intensity

Back Drawing with Partner

⏱ 6 min👥 Ages 7–12📍 Gym or classroom
Equipment: No equipment

In pairs, one student uses a finger to draw a shape, letter or number on a partner's back, and the partner has to guess it.

Perception Low intensity