XIV. Yogi Breathing
Life
is absolutely dependent upon the act of breathing. "Breath is Life."
Differ
as they may upon details of theory and terminology,
the Oriental and the Occidental agree upon these fundamental principles.
To
breathe is to live, and without breath there is no life.
Not only are the higher animals dependent upon
breath for life and health, but even the lower forms of
animal life must breathe to live, and plant life is
likewise dependent upon the air for continued existence.
The infant draws in a long, deep breath, retains it for
a moment to extract from it its life-giving properties,
and then exhales it in a long wail, and lo! its life
upon earth has begun. The old man gives a faint gasp,
ceases to breathe, and life is over. From the first faint breath of the
infant to the last gasp of the dying man,
it is one long story of continued breathing. Life is but a series of breaths.
Breathing may be considered the most important of all of the functions of the body, for, indeed, all the other functions depend upon it. Man may exist some time
without eating; a shorter time without drinking; but without breathing his existence may be measured by a few minutes.
And not only is Man dependent upon Breath for life, but he is largely dependent upon correct habits of breathing
for continued vitality and freedom from disease.
An intelligent control of our breathing power will
lengthen our days upon earth by giving us increased
vitality and powers of resistance, and, on the other
hand, unintelligent and careless breathing will tend to
shorten our days, by decreasing our vitality and laying us open to
disease.
Man
in his normal state had no need of instruction in
breathing. Like the lower animal and the child, he
breathed naturally and properly, as nature intended him
to do, but civilization has changed him in this and other respects. He has
contracted improper methods and attitudes of
walking, standing and sitting, which have robbed him of
his birthright of natural and correct breathing. He
has paid a high price for civilization. The savage,
to-day, breathes naturally, unless he has been
contaminated by the habits of civilized man.
The percentage of civilized men who breathe correctly is quite small,
and the result is shown in contracted chests and
stooping shoulders, and the terrible increase
in diseases of the respiratory organs, including that dread monster, Consumption, "the white scourge." Eminent authorities have stated that one generation of
correct breathers would regenerate the race, and disease would be so rare as to be looked upon as a curiosity. Whether looked at from the standpoint of the Oriental or Occidental, the connection between correct
breathing and health is readily seen and explained.
The Occidental teachings show that the physical health depends very materially upon correct breathing. The
Oriental teachers not only admit that their Occidental
brothers are right, but say that in addition to the
physical benefit derived from correct habits of breathing,
man's mental power, happiness, self-control,
clear-sightedness, morals, and even his spiritual growth
may be increased by an understanding of the "Science
of Breath." Whole schools of Oriental Philosophy
have been founded upon this science, and this
knowledge when grasped by the Western races, and by
them put to the practical use which is their strong point, will work wonders
among them. The theory of the East, wedded to
the practice of the West, will produce worthy offspring.
This work will take
up the Yogi "Science of Breath,"
which includes not only all that is known to the Western physiologists and hygienists, but the occult side of the subject as well. It not only
points out the way to physical health along the lines of what Western scientists have termed "deep
breathing," etc., but also goes
into the less known phases of the subject
The
Yogi practices exercises by which he attains control of his body, and is
enabled to send to any organ or part an increased flow of
vital force or "prana," thereby
strengthening and invigorating the part or organ. He knows all that his
Western scientific brother knows about the
physiological effect of correct breathing, but he also knows that the air
contains more than oxygen and
hydrogen and nitrogen, and that something
more is accomplished than the mere oxygenating of the blood. He knows
something about "prana," of which
his Western brother is ignorant, and he
is fully aware of the nature and manner of handling that great
principle of energy, and is fully informed as
to its effect upon the human body and mind. He knows
that by rythmical breathing one may bring himself
into harmonious vibration with nature, and aid in
the unfoldment of his latent powers. He knows that by
controlled breathing he may not only cure disease in himself and others, but
also practically do away with fear and worry and the baser
emotions.
In
the consideration of the question of respiration, we
must begin by considering the mechanical arrange' ments whereby the respiratory movements are effected. The mechanics of respiration manifest through (I) the elastic movements of the lungs, and (2) the activities of the sides and bottom of the thoracic cavity in which the lungs are contained. The thorax is that portion of the trunk between the neck and the abdomen, the cavity of which (known as the thoracic cavity) is occupied mainly
by the lungs and heart. It is bounded by the spinal
column, the ribs with their cartilages, the breastbone, and below by the diaphragm. It is generally spoken
of as "the chest." It has been compared to a completely shut, conical
box, the small end of which is turned upward, the back
of the box being formed by the spinal column, the
front by the breastbone and the sides by the ribs.
The ribs
are twenty-four in number, twelve on each side,
and emerge from each side of the spinal column. The upper seven pair are known
as "true ribs," being fastened to the breastbone direct, while the
lower five pairs are called "false ribs" or "floating
ribs," because they are not so fastened, the
upper two of them being fastened by cartilage to the
other ribs, the remainder having no cartilages, their
forward ends being free. The ribs are moved in respiration by two superficial muscular
layers, known as the intercostal muscles. The diaphragm, the muscular partition
before alluded to, separates the chest box from the
abdominal cavity.
In
the act of inhalation the muscles expand the lungs so that a vacuum is created and the air rushes in in accordance
with the well known law of physics. Everything
depends upon the muscles concerned in the process of respiration, which we may
as, for convenience, term the "respiratory
muscles." Without the aid of these
muscles the lungs cannot expand, and upon the proper
use and control of these muscles the Science of Breath
largely depends. The proper control of these muscles
will result in the ability to attain the maximum degree of lung expension, and
to secure the greatest. amount of the life giving properties of the air to the system.
The Yogis classify Respiration into four general methods, viz:
(1) High Breathing.
(2) Mid Breathing.
(3) Low Breathing.
(4) Yogi Complete Breathing.
We will give a general idea of the first three methods, and a more extended treatment of the fourth method,
upon which the Yogi Science of Breath is largely based.
(I) HIGH BREATHING.
This form of breathing is known to the Western world as Cavicular Breathing, or Collarbone Breathing. One breathing in this way elevates the ribs and raises
the collarbone and shoulders, at the same time drawing in the abdomen and pushing its contents
up against the diaphragm, which in turn is raised.
The upper part of the chest and
lungs, which is the smallest, is used, and consequently but a minimum amount of
air enters the lungs. In addition to this, the
diaphragm being raised, there can be no expansion in that direction. A
study of the anatomy of the chest will convince any student that in this way a
maximum amount of effort is used to obtain a minimum amount of benefit.
High Breathing is probably the worst
form of breathing known to man and requires the greatest expenditure of energy
with the smallest amount of benefit. It is an energy-wasting, poor-returns
plan. It is quite common among the Western
races, many women being addicted to it, and even singers, clergymen, lawyers
and others, who should know better, using it ignorantly.
Many diseases of the vocal organs
and organs of respiration may be directly
traced to this barbarous method of breathing, and the straining of delicate organs
caused by this method, often results in the harsh, disagreeable voices heard on
all sides. Many persons who breathe in this
way become addicted to the disgusting practice of
"mouth-breathing" described in a preceding chapter.
If the student has any doubts about
what has been said regarding this form of breathing, let him try the experiment of expelling all the air from his
lungs, then standing erect, with hands at sides, let him raise the
shoulders and collarbone and inhale. He will find that the amount of air
inhaled is far below normal. Then let him inhale a full breath, after dropping
the shoulders and collarbone, and he will receive an object lesson in breathing which he will be apt to remember much longer than he would any words, printed or spoken.
(2) MID BREATHING.
This
method of respiration is known to Western students as Rib Breathing, or
Inter-Costal Breathing, and while less objectionable
than High Breathing, is far inferior to either Low
Breathing or to the Yogi Complete Breath. In Mid Breathing the diaphragm is
pushed upward, and the abdomen drawn in. The ribs
are raised somewhat, and the chest is partially expanded. It is quite
common among men who have made no study of
the subject. As there are two better methods
known, we give it only passing notice, and that principally to call your
attention to its short' comings.
(3) LOW BREATHING.
This form of respiration is far better than either of the two preceding forms, and of recent years many Western writers have
extolled its merits, and have exploited it under the names of
"Abdominal Breathing," "Deep Breathing," "Diaphragmic
Breathing," etc., etc., and much good has been
accomplished by the attention of the public having been
directed to the subject, and many having been induced to
substitute it for the inferior and injurious methods
above alluded to. Many "systems" of breathing
have been built around Low Breathing, and students have paid high prices to
learn the
new (?) systems. But, as we have said, much good
has resulted, and after all the students who paid high prices to learn revamped old systems
undoubtedly got their money's worth if
they were induced to discard the old
methods of High Breathing and Low Breathing.
Although many Western authorities write and speak of this method as
the best known form of breathing, the Yogis
knew it to be but a part of a system which they have used for centuries and which they know as "The
Complete Breath." It must be admitted, however, that one must be acquainted with the principles of Low Breathing before he can grasp the idea of Complete
Breathing.
Let us again
consider the diaphragm. What is it? We have seen that it is the great partition
muscle, which separates the chest and its
contents from the abdomen and its contents. When at rest it presents a
concave surface to the abdomen! That is, the diaphragm
as viewed from the abdomen would seem like the sky as viewed from the
earth-the interior of an arched surface.
Consequently the side of the diaphragm
toward the chest organs is like a protruding rounded surface-like a
hill. When the diaphragm is brought into use the hill formation is lowered and the diaphragm presses upon the abdominal organs
and forces out the abdomen.
In Low Breathing,
the lungs are given freer play than in the
methods already mentioned, and consequently more air is inhaled. This
fact has led the majority of Western writers
to speak and write of Low Breathing (which they call Abdominal
Breathing) as the highest and best method
known to science. But the Oriental
Yogi, has long known of a better method, and some few Western writers have also recognized this fact. The trouble with all methods of
breathing, other than
"Yogi Complete Breathing," is that in none of these
methods do the lungs become filled with air-at the best
only a portion of the lung space is filled, even in
Low Breathing. High Breathing fills only the upper
portion of the lungs. Mid Breathing fills only the middle and a portion of the
upper parts. Low Breathing fills only the lower and
middle parts. It is evident that any method that
fills the entire lung space must be far
preferable to those filling only certain parts. Any
method which will fill the entire lung space must be
of the greatest value to man in the way of allowing him to absorb the greatest quantity of oxygen and to store
away the greatest amount of prana. The Complete
Breath is known to the Yogis to be the best method of respiration
known to science.
THE YOGI COMPLETE
BREATH.
Yogi
Complete Breathing includes all the good points of High
Breathing, Mid Breathing and Low Breathing, with
the objectionable features of each eliminated. It brings
into play the entire respiratory apparatus, every
part of the lungs, every air-cell, every respiratory muscle. The entire respiratory organism responds to this
method of breathing, and the maximum amount of benefit
is derived from the minimum expenditure of energy.
The chest cavity is increased to its normal limits
in all directions and every part of the machinery performs
its natural work and functions.
One
of the most important features of this method of breathing is the fact that the respiratory muscles are fully
called into play, whereas in the other forms of breathing
only a portion of these muscles are so used. In
Complete Breathing, among other muscles, those controlling the ribs arc actively used, which
increases the space in which the lungs may expand, and also gives the proper
support to the organs when needed, Nature availing herself of the perfection of
the principle of leverage in this process. Certain muscles hold the lower ribs
firmly in position, while other muscles bend them outward.
Then again, in this method, the
diaphragm is under perfect control and is able to perform its functions properly, and in such manner as to yield the
maximum degree of service.
In the rib-action, above alluded to,
the lower ribs are controlled by the diaphragm which draws them slightly
downward, while other muscles hold them in place
and the intercostal muscles force them outward, which combined action
increases the mid-chest cavity to its maximum. In addition to this muscular
action, the upper ribs are also lifted and forced outward by the intercostal
muscles, which increases the capacity of the upper chest to its fullest extent.
If you have studied the special
features of the four given methods of breathing, you will at once see that the Complete Breathing comprises all the
advantageous features of the three
other methods, plus the reciprocal advantages accruing from the combined
action of the high-chest, mid-chest, and diaphragmic regions, and the normal
rhythm thus obtained.
The Yogi Complete Breath is the
fundamental breath of the entire Yogi Science of Breath, and the student must
fully acquaint himself with it, and master
it perfectly before he can hope to obtain results from the other forms
of breath mentioned and given in this book.
He should not be content with half-learning it, but
should go to work in earnest until it becomes bis natural method of breathing. This will require work, time
and patience, but without these things nothing is ever
accomplished. There is no royal road to the Science of
Breath, and the student must be prepared to practice
and study in earnest if he expects to receive results. The results obtained by
a complete mastery of the Science of Breath are great,
and no one who has attained them would willingly go
back to the old methods, and he will tell his friends
that he considers himself amply repaid for all his work. We say these things now, that you may fully understand the
necessity and importance of
mastering this fundamental method
of Yogi Breathing, instead of passing it by and trying some of the attractive looking variations
given later on in this book. Again, we say to you: Start right, and right results will follow; but neglect your
foundations and your entire building
will topple over sooner or later.
Perhaps
the better way to teach you how to develop the Yogi
Complete Breath, would be to give you simple directions
regarding the breath itself, and then follow up the
same with general remarks concerning it, and then later on giving exercises for
developing the chest, muscles and lungs which have been allowed to remain in an undeveloped condition by imperfect methods of breathing. Right here we wish to say that this Complete Breath is not a forced or abnormal thing, but on the
contrary is a going back to first principles-a return to Nature. The healthy adult savage and the healthy infant of civilization both breathe in this manner, but civilized man
has adopted unnatural methods of living, clothing, etc., and has lost
his birthright. And we wish to
remind the reader that the Complete Breath does not
necessarily call for the complete filling of the lungs
at every inhalation. One may inhale the average
amount of air, using the Complete Breathing Method
and distributing the air inhaled, be the quantity large
or small, to all parts of the lungs. But one should
inhale a series of full Complete Breaths several times a day, whenever opportunity offers, in order to keep the system in
good order and condition.
The
following simple exercise will give you a clear idea of what the Complete
Breath is:
(1) Stand or sit
erect. Breathing through the nostrils,
inhale steadily, first filling the lower part of the lungs, which is accomplished by bringing into
play the diaphragm, which descending
exerts a gentle pressure on the
abdominal organs, pushing forward the front walls of the abdomen. Then fill the middle part of the lungs, pushing out the lower ribs, breast-bone and
chest. Then fill the higher portion
of the lungs, protruding the upper
chest, thus lifting the chest, including
the upper six or seven pairs of ribs. In the final movement, the lower part of the abdomen will be slightly
drawn in, which movement gives the lungs a
support and also helps to fill the highest part of the lungs.
At
first reading it may appear that this breath consists
of three distinct movements. This, however, is not the
correct idea. The inhalation is continuous, the entire chest cavity from the
lowered diaphragm to the highest point of the chest in
the region of the collarbone, being expanded with a
uniform movement. Avoid a jerky series of inhalations,
and strive to attain a steady continuous action. Practice will soon overcome the
tendency to divide the inhalation into three movements,
and will result in a uniform continuous breath, You will
be able to complete the inhalation in a couple of seconds after a little
practice.
(2) Retain the breath a few seconds.
(3) Exhale quite slowly, holding the chest in a firm position, and drawing the abdomen in a little and lifting
it upward slowly as the air leaves the lungs. When
the air is entirely exhaled, relax the chest and abdomen. A little
practice will render this part of the
exercise easy, and the movement once acquired will be afterwards performed almost automatically.
It
will be seen that by this method of breathing all parts of
the respiratory apparatus is brought into action, and all parts of the lungs,
including the most remote air cells, are exercised.
The chest cavity is expanded in all directions. You
will also notice that the Complete Breath is really a
combination of Low, Mid and High Breaths, succeeding each other rapidly in the order given, in such a manner as to form one uniform, continuous,
complete breath.
You
will find it quite a help to you if you will practice this breath before a large
mirror, placing the hands lightly over the
abdomen so that you may feel the movements. At the end of the inhalation, it is
well to occasionally slightly elevate
the shoulders, thus raising the
collar-bone and allowing the air to pass freely into the small upper lobe of
the right lung, which place is sometimes
the breeding place of tuberculosis.
At
the beginning of practice, you may have more or less trouble in acquiring the Complete Breath, but a little practice will
make perfect, and when you have once acquired it you will never willingly return to the old methods.
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