"Everything okay, Leo?" his grandfather asked, leaning against the doorframe.
They did it again. In through the nose, belly out. Out through the mouth, belly in. abdominal breathing
As Leo focused on the rhythmic rise and fall of his stomach, the "rocks" in his chest began to melt. His heart slowed its frantic drumming to a steady, calm beat. The word "encyclopedia" didn't feel like a mountain anymore—it just felt like a word. "Everything okay, Leo
"There it is," Grandpa whispered. "Now, hold that air for just a second... and let it out through your mouth like you’re blowing a wish onto a dandelion. Watch the balloon flatten." Out through the mouth, belly in
Leo sat on the edge of his bed, his heart drumming against his ribs like a trapped bird. Tomorrow was the big spelling bee, and every time he thought of the word "encyclopedia," his throat felt tight and his breaths became short, shallow gasps in his upper chest.