A few bits of Yogi lore. We give below three forms of breath quite
popular among the Yogis. The first is the well known Yogi cleansing breath,
to which has attributed much of the great long endurance found among the Yogis.
They usually finish up a breathing exercise with this cleansing breath, and we have
followed this plan in this book. We also give the Yogi nerve vitalizing exercise,
which has been handed down among them for ages, and which has never
been improved on by Western teachers of physical culture, although some of them have
borrowed it from teachers of yoga. We also give the Yogi vocal breath,
which accounts largely for the melodious, vibrant voices of the better class of the
Oriental Yogis. We feel that if this book contained nothing more than these three
exercises, it would be invaluable to the Western student. Take these exercises as
a gift from your Eastern brothers, and put them into practice. The Juggie
cleansing breath. The Yogis have a favorite form of breathing, which they practice
when they feel the necessity of ventilating and cleansing. The lungs. They conclude
many of their other breathing exercises with this breath, and we have followed this
practice in this book. This cleansing breath ventilates and cleanses the lungs, stimulates
the cells, and gives a general tone to the respiratory organs, and is
conducive to their general healthy condition. Besides this effect, it is found to
greatly refresh the entire system. Speakers, singers, et cetera. Will find
this breath especially rustful after having tired the respiratory organs. One inhale complete breath.
Two, retain the air a few seconds. Three, pucker up the
lips as if for a whistle, but do not swell out the cheeks.
Then exhale little air through the opening with considerable vigor. Then out for a
moment, retaining the air, and then exhale a little more air. Repeat
until the air is completely exhaled. Remember that considerable vigor is to be used
in exhaling the air through the opening in the lips. This breath will be
found quite refreshing when one is tired and generally used up. A trial will
convince the student of its merits. This exercise should be practiced until it can
be performed naturally and easily, as it is used to finish up a number
of other exercises given in this book, and it should be thoroughly understood.
The Yogi nerve vitalizing breath. This is an exercise well known to the Yogis,
who consider it one of the strongest nerve stimulants and invigorants known to man.
Its purpose is to stimulate the nervous system, develop nerve force, energy,
and vitality. This exercise brings a stimulating pressure to bear on important nerve
c oenters, which in turn stimulate and energize the entire nervous system and send
an increased flow of nerve force to all parts of the body. One stand
erect, two inhale a complete breath, and retain sane. Three extend the
arms straight in front of you, letting them be somewhat limp and relaxed,
with only sufficient nerve force to hold them out. Four. Slowly draw the
hands back towards the shoulders, gradually contracting the muscles and putting force into them,
so that when they reach the shoulders, the fists will be so tightly
clenched that a TERMINALSS motion is felt. Five. Then, keeping the muscles
tents, push the fists slowly out and then draw them back rapidly, still
tents several times. Six, exhale vigorously through the mouth. Seven practice the
cleansing breath. The efficiency of this exercise depends greatly upon the speed of the
drawing back of the fists and the tension of the muscles, and of course
upon the full lungs. This exercise must be tried to be appreciated. It
is without equal as a bracer, as our Western friends put it. The
Yogi vocal breath. The Yogis have a form of breathing to develop the voice.
They are noted for their wonderful voices, which are strong, smooth and
clear, and have a wonderful trumpet like carrying power. They have practiced this
particular form of breathing exercise, which has resulted in rendering their voices soft,
beautiful, and flexible, imparting to it that indescribable peculiar floating quality combined with
great power. The exercise given below will in time impart the above mentioned qualities
or the Yogi voice to the student who practices it payfully. It is to
be understood of course, that this form of breath is to be used only
as an occasional exercise, and not as a regular form of breathing. One
inhale a complete breath, very slowly but steadily through the nostrils. Take it
as much time as possible into anhalation. Two, retain for a few seconds.
Three, expel the air vigorously in one great breath through the wide open
mouth. Four rust the lungs by the cleansing breath. Without going deeply into
the Yogi theories of sound production and speaking and singing, we wish to say
that experience has taught them that the timbre, quality, and power of a
voice depends not alone upon the vocal organs in the throat, but that the
facial muscles, et cetera, have much to do with the matter. Some
men with large chests produce but a poor tune, while others with comparatively small
chests produce tones of amazing strength and quality. Here is an interesting experience worth
trying. Stand before a glass and puckle up your mouth and whistle, and
note the shape of your mouth and the general expression of your face. Then
sing or speak as you do naturally and see the difference. Then start to
whistle again for a few seconds, and then, without changing the position of
your lips or face, sing a few notes and notice what a vibrant,
resonant, clear and beautiful tone is produced.