登录
He guided Leo to lie flat on his back. "Imagine your belly is a big, colorful balloon," Grandpa said softly. "When you breathe in through your nose, don't let your chest move. Instead, try to blow up that balloon in your stomach."
As Leo focused on the rhythmic rise and fall of his stomach, the "rocks" in his chest began to melt. His heart slowed its frantic drumming to a steady, calm beat. The word "encyclopedia" didn't feel like a mountain anymore—it just felt like a word. abdominal breathing
"There it is," Grandpa whispered. "Now, hold that air for just a second... and let it out through your mouth like you’re blowing a wish onto a dandelion. Watch the balloon flatten." He guided Leo to lie flat on his back
Leo took one last deep, abdominal breath, felt his whole body sink into the mattress, and finally, he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. Instead, try to blow up that balloon in your stomach
Leo sat on the edge of his bed, his heart drumming against his ribs like a trapped bird. Tomorrow was the big spelling bee, and every time he thought of the word "encyclopedia," his throat felt tight and his breaths became short, shallow gasps in his upper chest.
Leo closed his eyes. He took a slow breath. At first, his chest rose, but Grandpa placed a hand gently on Leo’s stomach. "Send the air down here," he encouraged.