Back to School: How to Start the Year with Energy + Joy

It’s that time again - new backpacks, freshly sharpened pencils, and the hopeful sound of band rooms filling with music. Back-to-school season is here! Whether you’re a student stepping into your first high school band rehearsal, a college musician getting ready for auditions, or a teacher mapping out your semester, this is the season of fresh starts.

And let’s be honest - fresh starts can feel exciting but also a little overwhelming. Schedules get busier, energy gets pulled in all directions, and sometimes it feels like you’re running on fumes before the year even begins. That’s why this year, we’re here with a reminder: you don’t just need discipline and hard work to thrive - you also need fun, joy, and tools that make your practice easier.

At the Original Breath Builder, we’re big believers that learning (and life!) doesn’t have to be serious all the time. In fact, our founder Harold Hanson invented the OBB by turning breath training into a game, so why shouldn’t you bring more fun into your back-to-school season too?

Let’s dive into some solid advice for starting the year strong, plus a few ways the Original Breath Builder can help you along the way.

1. Set Your Breath Before You Set Your Goals

One of the easiest ways to add structure and calm to your daily routine is by checking in with your breath. Breath shapes how we focus, how we practice, and how we perform on stage and in the classroom.

Try this daily ritual:

• Before diving into schoolwork, music practice, or rehearsal, take 3–5 minutes with your Breath Builder.

• Focus on keeping the ball floating steadily as you inhale and exhale.

• Notice the calm it brings - it’s like a reset button for your brain.

This simple practice builds lung strength, but more importantly, it helps you start the year with more focus and control.

2. Don’t Just Practice - Play!

Yes, practice matters. Scales, long tones, warm-ups - they’re all necessary. But don’t forget why you picked up your instrument in the first place: because making music is fun.

Here’s where the OBB shines: because it was literally inspired by a child’s toy, it brings playfulness back into daily practice. You can make mini-challenges with friends (who can keep the ball up longest?), compete with yourself, or use it as a warm-up game before rehearsal.

Teachers love this, too—OBB turns breathing into something visual and tangible, so students get excited rather than zoning out.

3. Build Community Through Music

Back-to-school season is about more than textbooks—it’s about finding your people. Whether you’re in marching band, jazz ensemble, orchestra, or choir, these are your teammates. Music bonds people in ways little else can, so lean into that.

• Host “practice parties” with friends where you warm up together (OBB makes a fun icebreaker).

• Challenge your whole section: who can hold their airflow the longest with the ball up?

• Swap OBB games at band camp—it’s a low-pressure way to build camaraderie while improving skills.

Community makes the work lighter, and joy multiplies when it’s shared.

4. Remember That Adults Need Play, Too

This isn’t just advice for students—teachers, parents, and directors, we’re talking to you. You’re juggling lesson plans, grading, and the logistics of dozens (sometimes hundreds) of kids. It’s easy to let the stress pile up.

Here’s your reminder: adults need play as much as kids do. Even a few minutes of using the Breath Builder can double as both a professional tool and a little break from the grind. Take joy seriously this semester—it will ripple out to your students.

5. Bring Novelty Into Your Routine

Our brains love novelty—it keeps us motivated. That’s why it’s important not to let routines get too routine. Instead, pepper in little adventures:

• Try a new practice location once a week.

• Add a creative warm-up game with your OBB.

• Explore music outside your usual genre.

You’ll be surprised how much these small changes keep you inspired.

Why The Original Breath Builder Belongs in Your School Year

For over 50 years, the Original Breath Builder has been helping musicians, students, and teachers unlock stronger breath control, fuller sound, and more stamina. With over 200 schools served nationwide, it’s a trusted tool that’s stood the test of time.

It’s:

• Simple: Lightweight and portable—just toss it in your case or backpack.

• Fun: With a ping pong ball inside, it feels like a game instead of a chore.

• Effective: Loved by professional musicians, students, and teachers alike.

Back to school means new habits, new goals, and new growth. Why not bring in a tool that makes all of it a little more fun?

This year, don’t just chase grades, scores, or perfect performances—chase joy. Bring fun into your music, into your classrooms, into your routines. Because what’s life (and school) without joy?

And when you’re ready to start the year with stronger lungs and more fun, grab your Original Breath Builder®. After all, better breathing means better music—and better living.