VI SCIENCE OF BREATH. 



control of these muscles the Science of Breath largely de- 

 pends. The proper control of these muscles will result 

 in the ability to attain the maximum degree of lung expan- 

 sion, and the greatest amount of the life giving properties 

 of the air into the system. 



The Yogis classify Respiration into four general meth- 

 ods, 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. 



(1) HIGH BREATHING. 



This form of breathing is known to the Western world 

 as Clavicular Breathing, or Collarbone Breathing. One 

 breathing in this way elevates the ribs and raises the col- 

 larbone and shoulders, at the same time drawing in the 

 abdomen and pushing its contents up against the dia- 

 phragm, 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 breath- 

 ing 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 res- 

 piration 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 



