If you’ve been to a Yoga@Play class lately — whether it’s kids yoga, family yoga, or a mindful movement session — chances are you’ve met our favorite little “magic tool”: the
Hoberman Sphere Breathing Ball.
We love this prop so much that it’s basically part of the Yoga@Play family. It shows up in
every single class we teach, and there’s a good reason for that: it helps kids understand breath in a way they can actually see and feel.
What is a Hoberman Sphere Breathing Ball?
A Hoberman Sphere is an expandable ball that grows and softens as it opens, then gently folds back in as it closes. In kids mindfulness and yoga spaces, it’s often called a
“breathing ball,” because it visually mirrors what our lungs and belly do when we breathe. As the ball expands, we inhale; as it contracts, we exhale.
That simple motion makes breath concrete for kids. Instead of asking a child to “take a deep breath” (which can feel abstract, especially when they’re upset), we give them a clear, engaging visual to follow.
Why we use it in every class
At Yoga@Play, breath is the foundation of everything we do. The Hoberman Sphere helps kids:
- Practice slow, steady breathing
- Learn belly-breathing (using the diaphragm instead of shallow chest breaths)
- Stay focused with a visual anchor
- Feel calm and grounded in their bodies
Kids naturally sync their breathing to the ball’s rhythm. They watch it grow, and their inhale grows with it. They watch it soften and close, and their exhale follows. It turns breathwork into something playful, tangible, and even a little magical.
And honestly? They love it.
Breath helps regulate the nervous system
One of the most powerful things we teach at Yoga@Play is this:
your breath is a remote control for your nervous system.
When we’re stressed, excited, or overwhelmed, the breath gets short and fast. When we slow the breath down and breathe deeply, our heart rate lowers and our body receives the signal that it’s safe to relax. That’s nervous system regulation in action.
This is true for kids
and grown-ups.
So every time your child practices breathing with the Hoberman Sphere, they’re not just “doing a yoga thing.” They’re learning a lifelong skill:
- how to calm themselves
- how to reset when emotions feel big
- how to find steady ground in their body
It’s confidence-building from the inside out.
Bringing the breathing ball home
Because we use this tool so often — and because we’ve seen how much it helps kids (and families!) — we decided to make it available to as many people as possible.
We’re so excited to share that the
Hoberman Sphere Breathing Ball is now in our new online store, alongside other tools for bringing yoga and mindfulness into home life.
👉
You can purchase the breathing ball directly from us here:
https://www.yogatplay.com/e-books--courses---at-home6ffa6a13
Whether you’re a parent looking for a calm-down tool, a teacher building mindfulness into your classroom, or a family wanting a simple way to breathe together before bed — this little sphere can make a big difference.
A simple moment that changes everything
We’ve watched kids walk into class wound-up, wiggly, nervous, or frustrated… and five slow breaths later with the breathing ball, their shoulders soften, their eyes brighten, and the whole room settles.
That’s why we love it.
That’s why we use it every class.
And that’s why we want it in as many homes and hands as possible.
Because sometimes the smallest tools teach the biggest wisdom:
Breathe in… your body expands.
Breathe out… your body lets go.
And right there, in that rhythm, is calm.
