The Magic of the Hoberman Sphere in Kids' Yoga
Have you ever placed a Hoberman Sphere in the hands of a child? If you have, you know the magic that happens next.
With its colorful design and fascinating expanding movement, the Hoberman Sphere, also known in the kids yoga world as a breathing ball, instantly captures children’s curiosity. This expandable geometric sphere opens and closes like a giant 3D model of the breath, making an invisible process visible and easy to understand.
Originally designed as an educational toy, this fascinating tool has become a beloved prop in kids’ yoga classes around the world.
At Yogi Beans, one of the leading schools in kids’ yoga education, we know that almost every kids’ yoga practitioner encounters this iconic expanding sphere. That’s why we decided to dedicate an entire article to uncovering its story, its benefits, and the many ways it can be used with children.
Keep reading, you might discover some surprising things about this simple yet powerful tool!
What’s the story behind the Hoberman Sphere?
The Hoberman Sphere was invented in 1988 by American artist and inventor Chuck Hoberman, known for creating innovative structures inspired by movement, geometry, and engineering.
Originally called the Hoberman Expandable Sphere, this unique toy is made from interconnected plastic struts that allow it to expand from a compact shape into a much larger sphere. The design was inspired by mathematical principles and mechanical movement, showing how complex structures can transform through simple motion.
The sphere became popular worldwide as an educational toy, helping children explore concepts like geometry, movement, and spatial awareness. Over time, educators, therapists, and yoga teachers discovered another powerful use: helping children understand the connection between movement and breath.
What is the purpose of this expanding sphere?
At first glance, the Hoberman Sphere looks like a fun toy, but its expanding and contracting movement makes it a wonderful learning tool.
Its purposes include:
Teaching geometry and engineering: The sphere expands and contracts while keeping its overall spherical structure, showing concepts like symmetry, interconnected joints, and mechanical motion.
Demonstrating transformation: It illustrates how a complex structure can change size dramatically without changing its basic shape.
Mindfulness and breathing aid: Many people use it as a visual breathing tool, expanding it slowly while inhaling and contracting it while exhaling, to support relaxation and meditation.
Sensory and stress relief: The repetitive opening and closing motion can be calming and is sometimes used as a fidget or grounding object.
Play and creativity: Children use it to explore physics, spatial awareness, and cause-and-effect.
The magic of the Hoberman Sphere lies in its endless possibilities; it can become whatever children need it to be, from a breathing companion to a tool for discovery and play.
What age is the Hoberman Sphere suitable for?
The Hoberman Sphere is suitable for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, although the way it is used will vary depending on the child’s developmental stage. Younger children can enjoy it as a sensory and movement tool, exploring its colors, textures, and expanding motion, while older children can use it for mindful breathing exercises, relaxation, and creative yoga activities.
For younger children, adult supervision is recommended, as the small connecting pieces that allow the sphere to expand and contract could potentially detach with frequent use and may present a choking hazard. With proper guidance, the Hoberman Sphere is a safe and engaging prop that grows with children, offering new opportunities for exploration, learning, and self-regulation at every age.
Small and Giant Hoberman Spheres
One of the things that makes the Hoberman Sphere so unique is that it comes in two sizes. The small Hoberman Sphere is the version most teachers, therapists, and yoga instructors use for breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, classroom games, and hands-on learning. It's lightweight, portable, and easy for children to hold and manipulate.
The giant Hoberman Sphere takes the experience to another level. Large enough for one or several children to step inside, it transforms abstract concepts into unforgettable experiences. Children can literally be inside the breath as the sphere expands and contracts around them. Whether you're exploring deep breathing, personal space, teamwork, STEM concepts, or simply creating moments of wonder, the giant sphere brings a level of engagement that few teaching tools can match.
Where to buy a Hoberman Sphere?
While the small Hoberman Sphere is easy to find on Amazon and in many toy or educational stores, one of the questions we hear most often from teachers and parents is: Where can I buy the giant Hoberman Sphere?. Since it isn't as widely available, we've put together a few trusted places where you can find one:
The Mega Hoberman Sphere: You can find it different stores like Walmart or Macy
Giant Hoberman Spheres: You can fin other brands on Amazon or educational stores.
Why is the breathing ball one of the best yoga props?
Yoga props are powerful because they make abstract concepts easier for children to understand. The Hoberman Sphere is especially effective because it combines movement, imagination, and mindfulness.
Here are some reasons why it is such a valuable tool in kids’ yoga:
It makes breathing visible
Breathing is invisible, which can make it difficult for children to understand. The Hoberman Sphere gives breath a shape and a movement, allowing kids to literally see the expansion of their inhale and contraction of their exhale.
It encourages slow, mindful breathing
Children naturally want to move quickly, but the sphere invites them to slow down and match their breath with its gentle expansion and contraction.
It supports emotional regulation
Slow breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping children feel calmer and more grounded. Using the sphere can become a familiar tool they return to whenever they need a moment of relaxation.
It engages different learning styles
Some children learn best through listening, others through movement or visual experiences. The Hoberman Sphere supports all these learning styles by combining a visual cue with physical movement.
It brings playfulness into yoga
Kids learn through play. A colorful expanding sphere transforms a breathing exercise into a magical experience, making mindfulness feel exciting rather than like a task.
For children discovering it for the first time, the Hoberman Sphere is a truly fascinating tool that naturally sparks curiosity and engagement, making it easier for teachers to capture their attention and invite them into the yoga practice.
Best ways to use a Hoberman Sphere with kids
The Hoberman Sphere can be used in many creative ways during kids’ yoga classes. Here are some favorite activities:
1. Breathing Ball Exercise
This is the classic way to use the Hoberman Sphere.
Ask children to sit comfortably as you hold the sphere in front of your chest.
Slowly open the sphere while taking a deep inhale.
Slowly close the sphere while exhaling.
Repeat several times, encouraging children to notice how their bodies feel.
You can add cues such as :
“Place your hand on your belly and as you inhale notice how the ball and your belly get bigger and as you exhale the ball and your belly get smaller.
Or for the littlest yogis :
“Your breath is the magic energy that opens and closes the sphere.”
2. I Spy Sphere
Turn the Hoberman Sphere into a fun observation game that encourages curiosity, visual perception, and descriptive language.
Spot the colors: Before opening the sphere, hold it closed and ask children what colors they can find.
Discover the shapes: Slowly expand the sphere and invite children to notice the different shapes that appear. Can they spot triangles, diamonds, or other patterns?
Watch it transform: Ask questions like, What happens to the spaces as the sphere gets bigger? or What changes when it closes again? Encourage children to describe what they see using their own words.
This simple activity builds observation skills while introducing basic geometry in a playful, hands-on way.
3. Wish Ball Circle
This calming activity encourages mindfulness, gratitude, and kindness, making it a wonderful transition into Savasana or the end of class.
Have everyone sit in a circle and gently pass the Hoberman Sphere from one child to the next. When it's their turn, the child slowly expands the sphere with a deep inhale and closes it with a long exhale.
On their next breath, invite them to think of a wish, someone they love, or something they're grateful for. As they exhale, they can imagine blowing that wish or gratitude into the sphere before carefully passing it to the next person.
By the time the sphere has traveled around the circle, it is filled with everyone's positive intentions.
4. Sphere Signals
This is a fun listening and movement game that develops focus, body awareness, and reaction skills.
The teacher keeps the Hoberman Sphere and uses it to give movement cues. Children simply watch the sphere and respond to its movements.
For example:
Slowly opening the sphere: Reach or stretch up tall.
Slowly closing the sphere: Fold forward.
Quick open and close: Jump!
Sphere stays still: Freeze like a statue.
Once everyone knows the signals, speed things up or mix the movements to challenge listening skills and keep children engaged.
Conclusion
The Hoberman Sphere is much more than a colourful toy. It is a simple yet powerful tool that helps children discover the power of their breath, develop mindfulness, and explore movement in a playful way.
Whether used during a yoga class, at home, or in the classroom, this breathing ball reminds children of an important lesson: they always carry a powerful calming tool with them ; their own breath.
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