34 SCIENCE OF BEEAIH. 



unnatural methods of living, clothing, etc., and has lost 

 uis birthright. And we wish to remind the reader that 

 the Complete Breath does not necessarily call for the com- 

 plete filling of the langs at every inhalation. One may 

 inhale the average amount of air, using the Complete 

 Breathing Method and distributing the air inhaled, be the 

 quantity large or small, to all parts of the lungs. But one 

 should inhale a series of full Complete Breaths several 

 limes a day, whenever opportunity offers, in order to keep 

 Jhe system in good order and condition. 



The following simple exercise will give you a clear 

 dea of what the Complete Breath is: 



(1) Stand or sit erect. Breathing through the nos- 

 trils, 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 

 tile abdomen. Then fill the middle part of the lungs, push- 

 Ing 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 

 pah's 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 inhala- 

 tions, and strive to attain a steady continuous action. Prac- 

 tice will soon overcome the tendency to divide the inhala- 

 tion into three movements, and will result in a uniform con- 

 tinuous breath. You will be able to complete the inhala- 

 3on in a couple of seconds after a little practice. 

 <*rfT (2) Retain the breath a few seconds. -r - 5pMHf y 



(3) Exhale quite slowly, holding the chest in a firm 

 position, and Pairing the abdomen in a little and lifting it 

 npward slowlj as 'the air leaves the lungs. Wher >he air it 



