Big Belly Breathing
šāØ Big Belly Breathing (BBB): Your Holistic Health Hub for Kids šļø
Welcome to the Big Belly Breathing Podcast with host Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekelyāwhere mindfulness meets magic! Each episode invites kids (and their grownups!) into a joyful world of guided visualizations, breathing exercises, and uplifting stories that ignite imagination and nurture well-being.
š§ Podcast Highlights:
- Fun, interactive mindfulness and breathing activities for all ages
- Creative storytelling to inspire calm, joy, and confidence
- Relaxation techniques that support emotional balance
- Bilingual episodes in English and French = double the magic!
Rooted in the BBB motto (Breathe, Move, Eat, Rest) this podcast helps kids build emotional resilience, body awareness, and creative confidence, all while staying grounded and centered. š
With 100+ FREE episodes (half in English, half in French!), thereās so much joy to exploreāespecially if you speak both!
⨠Subscriber Bonus:
Support a woman-owned small business and unlock the exclusive sub-series, "Cheese & Burritos": a fun, lighthearted celebration of California cool and French flair. Itās mindfulness with a side of personality!
š§šÆ āCheese & Burritosā champions the gloriousness of the California + French lifestyle⦠and the joy of being your full, authentic self.
Discover even more mindfulness joy from educator and creator Vanessa, from journals to courses, meditations, and more:
š www.bigbellybreathing.com
Finally, if you made it this farā¦check out my other podcast, which I co-host, called "Valkyries, Say Less". Itās all about the newest WNBA team in San Francisco...the Golden State Valkyries. Iām not a sports analyst, but instead share player backstories, local culture, and the joy of this incredible moment for womenās sports.
#BigBellyBreathing #MindfulnessForKids #JoyfulParenting #KidsWellness #HealthyHabits #CheeseAndBurritos #Podcast4Kids
Big Belly Breathing
7.2 Bed Time Guided Meditation in San Francisco's Mid Richmond: Patience Theme
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
This is a BEDTIME MEDITATION focusing on the theme of Patience.
Thank you to our subscribers, Moni, Crawford and Olli, for this Mid Richmond neighborhood in San Francisco location inspiration!
Kids are guided into a very relaxing moment at home in their cozy beds, where they focus on their breathing while listening to an audio quiet time activity.
This meditation can be used as a nighttime routine before bed is to help them ease into slumber land, or also before nap.
The Breathing Practice for this month is Heart Diamond breathing.
Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan
Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellnessāinviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.
As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.
Healthy Habits = Happy Kids
Through each episode, children are gently guided to:
- Breathe mindfully
- Stretch their creativity
- Build emotional awareness
- Practice gratitude
- And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.
In todayās busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and goodāhelping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.
These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.
But itās not just for kids!
BBB also includes special episodes designed for teens and adul...
Good evening! Bonsoir and Welcome to Big Belly Breathing, Bienvenue to health!
My name is Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely, and I'm delighted to guide you on this bedtime journey into the Mid Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco, specifically around 18th Avenue and California Street, where we'll explore the theme of patience.
During tonight's magical journey, we'll be joined by two extraordinary companionsāmeet Sparkle, the mystical spider, and Zippy, the swift cheetah. Special thanks to our listeners Moni, Crawford and Olli for this neighborhood inspiration and for bringing these inspiring beings into our imaginative space.
Close your eyes and settle into your cozy bed. Pull your blanket up to your face, snuggle in and focus on your breath. Weāre practicing our heart diamond breathing this month so picture a beautiful heart as you take a big breath in, and then imagine a glowing diamond as you slowly exhale. Very nice. Do that one more time to relax into slumberland. Breathe in heart, breathe out diamond.
Now, picture Sparkle, a dazzling spider with glistening turquoise silk and shimmering threads that weave a tapestry of wonder and imagine Zippy, the swift cheetah, adorned with spots that sparkle like constellations in the night sky. These magical friends are here to guide you on an enchanting night adventure through the vibrant Mid Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco. The city comes alive with a magical glow as you explore the majestic parks, colorful homes, and the rhythmic waves along the shore.
Start your night voyage with Sparkle and Zippy by floating over to Mountain Lake Park, where the lush greenery surrounds you. Sparkle weaves a web of sparkling threads, creating a cozy hideaway among the trees. Zippy invites you to practice mountain breathing: Inhale deeply, feeling grounded like the mighty mountains, and exhale, releasing any tension. As you explore the park, the air is filled with the sweet scents of blooming flowers and the refreshing breeze from the lake.
Next, your companions guide you to the enchanting Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park. The vibrant colors and delicate fragrances of the roses create a sensory wonderland. Sparkle shares tales of the patience it takes for a rosebud to blossom into full bloom, teaching you the art of patience through the Rose Breath: Inhale, embracing the anticipation, and exhale, letting go of impatience.
High above the Golden Gate Park, above the Redwood Forest and the Rose Garden, Sparkle introduces you to a constellation of friendly fireflies, their glow creating a soft, magical ambiance. Zippy gracefully glides alongside, and you engage in playful movements, dancing through the luminous night sky. Your companions share the wisdom of patience, reminding you that just like a spider patiently weaves its web and a cheetah waits for the perfect moment to sprint, your dreams are worth the wait.
Continuing your journey, Sparkle and Zippy guide you to the enchanting Lands End, where the moon casts a gentle glow over the rugged cliffs and the Pacific Ocean sparkles in the moonlight. The soothing sound of waves crashing against the rocks creates a tranquil melody as you practice your cheetah breathing: Inhale, feel the power and patience within, and exhale, releasing any tension.
The pinnacle of your night adventure is a shooting star, leaving behind a trail of stardust infused with patience. You and your companions ride this celestial marvel and are gifted a special treasureāa tiny star floats into your hands. This gem fills you with happiness, confidence, and a patience to embrace the adventures of your dreams.
Now, let's deepen your relaxation by connecting with the magic of the Richmond night sky. Imagine inhaling the essence of celestial wonders, one by one, with each slow, comforting breath.
Inhale... the gentle rustle of leaves in the Redwood Forest in Golden Gate Park. Exhale... let go.
Inhale... the vibrant energy of Richmond's colorful homes. Exhale... release.
Inhale... the rhythmic lullaby of ocean waves at Lands End. Exhale... drift softly.
Inhale... the sparkling lights of the Golden Gate Bridge skyline. Exhale... be at ease.
Inhale... the glow of a Richmond sunset in the Presidio. Exhale... embrace renewal.
Continue savoring your joy-filled stardust and practicing your breathing as you gracefully traverse the tranquil night skies over Richmond's diverse landscapes. Your magical companions remind you that you are a source of joy, and patience, just like Sparkle and Zippy exploring the boundless night.
As your night adventure unfolds, encountering more celestial wonders and meeting mystical beings, it's soon time to return to your own cozy bed. Express gratitude to Sparkle and Zippy, knowing that you can revisit the magic of Mountain Lake Park, the Rose Garden, and Lands End in your dreams whenever you seek peace and patience.
Bonne nuit, kind-hearted night traveler. May your dreams be filled with the beauty and enchantment of San Francisco's natural wonders. Sleep well and have delightful dreams about the enchanting night sky of the Mid Richmond neighborhood.