Calm space – the word “safe” concerning a mental space where we feel protected can be triggering, just as breathing can be triggering for some people. However, you can remind people that this is a calm space – they are safe. So do something nurturing together, talk to them softly and ask questions to switch on their cortex (part of the brain responsible for rational thinking and awareness), suggest grounding exercises to help people learn how to calm body and mind.
Imagine being a hibernating bear and doing this in your cave: take a deep breath counting slowly to three, hold it counting to three, exhale counting to three and hold again counting to three.
Take a deep belly breath and slowly exhale making a soft hissing sound. Follow your experience, emotions and repeat until you feel a little bit calmer.
Take a deep breath, make an O shape with your lips and release the air slowly making hoo-hoo sounds.
Find a comfortable place on the floor, go on all fours and arch your back a little bit (some Yoga teachers also advise crossing your eyes during the exercise), take a deep breath in and during the out-breath stick your tongue out and make a hissing sound. Repeat.
Breathe in and slowly, but loudly, let the air out of your lungs. Sprinkle the experience with a moment of joy and allow yourself a little bit of playfulness: change your tone or volume or pretend you are singing without words.
To practice horse breath, open your mouth just a little bit, take a deep breath and make the sound of a horse while softly releasing the air.
Here is the first tip: place your hands on your lower ribs and imagine that you are a butterfly opening its wings. Slowly, softly, breathe in to see your wings open up. Repeat a few times.