358 The Law of the Rhythmic Breath 



The corrective exercises are designed to restore 

 divine order, no function of life having been so 

 misunderstood and neglected during centuries as 

 the vital one of breathing. The difference be- 

 tween the two exercises is very great. They sup- 

 plement each other. Alternate breathing renews 

 and freshens the human battery, undoing the mis- 

 chief created through having employed one cur- 

 rent too long; it is nerve-calming and equalizing; 

 for it restores the atoms to harmonious activity, 

 when before they were all struggling for their in- 

 dividual " breath of life." 



The Held-Breath describes itself, for though 

 the breaths are taken alternately as in the other 

 exercises, the holding is the important part. It 

 is nerve-energizing to a greater degree and acts 

 more promptly than any other remedy for 

 nerve-exhaustion yet devised; because the thought, 

 concentrating Prdna in different plexuses, polar- 

 izes the electro-chemical action, refines the Tattvic 

 vibrations, and raises them to inconceivably higher 

 power. This exercise for Pranayama (control of 

 Prdna} thus electrifies all the nerves of the body 

 and stimulates all the organic functions to their 

 highest activity. I have had many proofs of its 

 wonderfully purifying, renewing, and invigorating 

 power when practiced regularly and faithfully. 



Since we are human electric batteries, there is 

 no slightest doubt in my mind that we can accom- 



