Full Breathing for Health

The full breath brings into use every part of the lungs, every air cell and all the surrounding muscles. The chest cavity is used to its full limit, and the maximum benefit obtained. the rib muscles are actively used, as are those of the stomach and diaphram. This helps to prevent respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, etc. This is the BASIC NATURAL method of breathing.

The method is as follows:

1. Stand or sit erect, or lie flat. Exhale completely. Breath in slowly through the nostrils (never through the mouth), and fill with air. First the lower part of the lungs, which will cause the abdomen to expand. Then the middle and upper part, which will cause the chest to expand and the abdomen to contract a little.

2. Hold breath for a few seconds.

3. Breath out slowly through the nose, contracting stomach muscles to ensure proper exhalation. Practice this 4 or 5 times several times each day, and partiucularly when by the sea, or in the country, where the air is pure.

It is also very helpful to imagine yourself breathing in the power that makes the sea and sky blue, the trees and grass green, and the sun golden, because this is healing power and can be absorbed by full breath. When exhaling, imagine you are giving off all worry and trouble from your mind to be taken care of by a higher power. In this way, the full breath becomes not only a physical exercise but a mental and spiritual one as well.