SCIENCE OF BBEATH. 19 



recognize that the air In certain places possesses a greater 

 amount of "something" and sick people are directed by 

 their physicians to seek such places in hopes of regaining 

 lost health. 



The oxygen in the air is appropriated by the blood and 

 is made use of by the circulatory system. The prana in 

 the air is appropriated by the nervous system, and is used 

 in its work. And as the oxygenated blood is carried to all 

 parts of the system, building up and replenishing, so is the 

 prana carried to all parts of the nervous system, adding 

 strength and vitality. If we think of prana as being the 

 active principle of what we call "vitality," we' will be 

 able to form a much clearer idea of what an important part 

 it plays in our livea Just as is the oxygen in the blood 

 used up by the wants of the system, so the supply of prana 

 taken up by the nervous system is exhausted by our think- 

 ing, willing, acting, etc., and in consequence constant replen- 

 ishing is necessary. Every thought, every act, every effort 

 of the will, every motion of a muscle, uses up a certain 

 amount of what we call nerve force, which is really a form 

 of prana. To move a muscle the brain sends out an im- 

 pulse over the nerves, and the muscle contracts, and so 

 much prana is expended. When it is remembered that the 

 greater portion of prana acquired by man comes to Him 

 from the air inhaled, the importance of proper breathing 

 .is readily understood. 



