The Hindu-Yogi Science of BreathAtkinson, William Walker
Religion
The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath
Atkinson, William Walker
Respiration -- Religious aspects -- Hinduism; Yoga
(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 collar-bone, 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 having 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
collarbone 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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