How to Acquire Rhythmic Breathing 347 



their finest work of upbuilding and renewing. 

 With every inhalation the abdomen should rise 

 gently, falling with the exhalation, when the dia- 

 phragm is arched upward pressing upon and emp- 

 tying the lower lung-cells. 



When you have mastered the method, resume 

 a sitting or standing posture for practice. In ha- 

 bitual breathing, the exhalations should be in 

 rhythm with the inhalations, counting from six to 

 eight during a movement according to lung-power, 

 which will increase amazingly as the chest-walls 

 and all muscles gain elasticity through regular 

 practice. 



The pulse heart-beat should be the unit of 

 count, for the two functions are most closely asso- 

 ciated. Thus: inhale during six pulse-throbs; 

 hold breath during three; exhale during six counts; 

 hold lungs empty during three counts. Repeat a 

 dozen times or more; lengthen the breath as 

 power is gained; and practice according to con- 

 venience several times a day. In normal, rhyth- 

 mic breathing, the solar current flows in and out 

 through the right nostril, and the lunar current 

 through the left. When it is desired to make 

 one or the other current flow, close the nostril or 

 press the fifth rib on the side you wish to make 

 inactive, and inhale and exhale through the other 

 nostril. Inhale slowly and always through the 

 nostrils, in which passages there is provision to 



