Breathing Exercise Cards

Printable breathing exercises for practical regulation skills

These 10 breathing exercise cards provide simple, structured techniques for moments when a client needs a concrete way to slow down, reconnect with the body, and practice self-regulation.

What’s included

• 10 breathing exercise cards with step-by-step instructions
• A range of techniques, including pursed-lip, 4-7-8, three-part, lion’s breath, equal breathing, box breathing, and alternate-nostril breathing
• Printable PDF files in US Letter and A4 formats
• Print-and-cut layout with four cards per page

Ways to use the cards

• Choose and practice one technique during a session
• Use a card for between-session practice
• Add selected cards to a personalized coping toolkit
• Introduce structured breathing during stabilization or grounding work

The cards may complement CBT, DBT, EMDR preparation, somatic, mindfulness, and trauma-informed approaches.

Related resource: Coping Skills Cards for Therapy