Santa's Favorite Stretch Break

To the Caring Adults Guiding Our Children,

This short movement and breathing break is designed to be fun and playful for children, while quietly building important skills like self-regulation, body awareness, and emotional calm.

As children move, twist, stretch, and breathe, they learn how to notice their bodies, slow their breath, and reset their energy—all in a joyful, age-appropriate way.

And this break is for you, too.

When you pause and move alongside your students, your own nervous system has a chance to settle. Even a few minutes of mindful movement can reduce stress, increase patience, and help you feel more grounded before returning to the rest of the day.

There’s no need to do it perfectly.
Have fun, breathe together, and enjoy the moment of connection—for your students and for yourself.

Warm holiday wishes,

Julie Frizzi

☕ Hot Chocolate Breathing

Pretend you’re holding a warm cup of hot chocolate.
Breathe in slowly through your nose like you’re smelling the chocolate.
Now breathe out SLOWLY through your pierced lips like you’re cooling it down.
Let your shoulders relax.
Take three cozy hot-chocolate breaths.

🎄 Candy Cane Stretch

Stand tall like a candy cane 🎅🍬.
Reach one arm up to the sky.
Now gently bend to the side—just like a candy cane curve.
Keep your feet planted on the floor.
Take a big breath in and feel the stretch down your side.
Breathe out and come back to the middle.
Switch arms and make your candy cane bend the other way.

🧦 Christmas Stocking Stretch

Stand tall.
Fold forward and let your head hang down—like a stocking hanging by the fireplace.
Let your arms dangle or hold your elbows.
Bend your knees if you need to.
Take three cozy breaths.
Slowly roll back up to standing.

🎄 Christmas Tree Stretch

Stand tall like a Christmas tree.
Place one foot on your ankle or calf—like it’s resting on the tree trunk.
Bring your hands together or reach them up like branches.
Try to stay still while you take three slow breaths.
If you wobble, that’s okay—trees sway in the wind!
Switch sides and grow your other Christmas tree.

🎅 Santa’s Sleigh Stretch

Stand with your feet on the floor.
Bend your knees like you’re sitting back into Santa’s sleigh.
Lift your arms up or hold the reins out in front of you.
Keep your chest tall and your belly strong.
Take three snowy breaths.
Then straighten your legs and let Santa fly away!

❄️ Snowball Pose

Sit down and hug your knees into your chest—like you’re curling into a snowball.
Wrap your arms around your legs and tuck your chin slightly.
Take three warm breaths as you rock gently or stay still.
Then slowly let the snowball melt and sit back up.

🎀 Christmas Bow Stretch

Sit up tall In your chair like you’re wrapping a present. Cross your straight arms in front of you to make and X. Place your hands on your thighs with the palms facing up.
Keep your belly tall and shoulders relaxed.
Take three present breaths.
Untie the bow, come back to the middle, and switch the arms so they cross the other direction.

🦌 Reindeer Pose

Sit cross-legged on the floor.
Sit up tall like a reindeer.
Place one hand on the floor behind you and the other hand on your knee.
Gently twist your body to look behind you—slow and easy. Keep your back long like reindeer antlers reaching up.
Take three calm breaths.
Come back to the middle and twist the other way.

🎅 Santa’s Rest Pose

Sit comfortably on the floor.
Stretch your arms out in front of you.
Cross your wrists and clasp your hands together.
Turn your hands downward and bring them in under your chin.
Rest your chin on your clasped hands—like Santa taking a quiet break.
Close your eyes and let your shoulders relax.
Stay here for five slow breaths and enjoy your rest.

Resources from Powerful You:

Powerful You Annual Social Emotional Calendar (use code- calendar) https://www.powerfulyou.info/books-and-products/sel-calendar

Powerful You Counselor Kit: https://www.powerfulyou.info/books-and-products/powerfulyoucounselorkit

Powerful You Book: https://www.powerfulyou.info/books-and-products/powerful-you-book Powerful You Primary Bundle: https://www.powerfulyou.info/books-and-products/primary-bundle-educator-cards-amp-signs

Powerful You Teen Bonus Material: https://www.powerfulyou.info/teenlifeskills