Four methods of respiration. In the consideration of the question of respiration, we
must begin by considering the mechanical arrangements whereby the respiratory movements are affected. The
mechanics of respiration manifest through one the elastic movements of the lungs, and two
the activities of the size and bottom of the thoracic cavity in which the lungs
are contained. The thorax is that portion of the trunk between the neck and
the abdomen, the cavity of which, known as the thoracic cavity, is
occupied mainly by the lungs in heart. It is bounded by the spinal column,
the ribs with their cartilages, the breastbone, and below by the diaphragm.
It is generally spoken of as the chest. It has been compared to
a completely shut conical box, the small end of which is turned upward,
the back of the being formed by the spinal column, the front of the
breastbone, and the sides of the ribs. The ribs are twenty four in
number, twelve on each side, and emerge from each side of the spinal
column. The upper seven pair are known as true ribs, being fastened to
the breastbone direct while the lower five pairs are called false ribs or floating ribs
because they are not so fastened, the upper two of them being fastened by
cartilage to the other ribs, the remainder having no cartilages, their forward ends
being free. The ribs are moved in respiration by two superficial muscular layers,
known as the intercostal muscles the diaphragm. The muscular partition before alluded to separates
the chest box from the abdominal cavity. In the act of inhalation, the
muscles expand along so that a vacuum is created and the air rushes in in
accordance with well known law physics, everything depends upon the muscles concerned in the
process of respiration, which we may as for convenience, term the respiratory muscles.
Without the aid of these muscles, the lungs cannot expand, and upon
the proper use in control of these muscles, the science of breath largely depends.
The proper control of these muscles will result in the ability to attain the
maximum degree of lung expansion and the greatest amount of the life giving properties of
the air into the system. The Yogis classify respiration into four general methods,
namely one high breathing, two mid breathing, three low breathing four 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. One high breathing. This form of breathing is known to
the worst as clavicular breathing or colibone breathing. One breathing in this way elevates
the ribs and raises the collar bone and shoulders, at the same time drawing
in the abdomen and pushing its contents up against the diaphragm, 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 could
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 breathing 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 seeing clergymen, lawyers, and others who should know better using
it ignorantly. Many diseases of the vocal organs and organs of respiration 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 heard on all
sides. Many persons who breathe in this way become addicted to the disgusting practice
of mouth breathing described in a preceding chapter. If the student has any doubts
about what has been said regarding this form of breathing, let him try the
experiment of expelling all the air from his lungs. Then, standing erect with
hands at sides, let him raise the shoulders in calibone and inhale. He
will find that the amount of air inhale far below normal. Then let him
inhale a full breath after dropping the shoulders in calabone, and he will receive
an object lesson in breathing, which he will be apt to remember much longer
than he would any words printed or spoken. Two mid breathing. This method
of respiration is known to Western students as rib breathing or intercostal breeding, and
while less objectionable than high breeding, is far inferior to either low breathing or
to the yogi complete breath. In mid breathing, the diaphragm is pushed upward
and the abomen drawed in, the ribs are raised somewhat, and the chest
is partially expanding. It is quite common among men who have made no study
of the subject, as there are two better methods known, we give it
only passing notice, and that principally to call your attention to its shortcomings.
Three low breathing. This form of respiration is far better than either of the
two preceding forms, and of recent years many Western writers have extolled its merits
and have exploited it under the names of abdominal breathing, deep breathing, diaphragmatic
breathing, et cetera, et cetera. And much good has been accomplished by
the attention of the public having been directed to the subject, and many have
been induced to substitute it for the interior and injurious methods above alluded to.
Many systems of breathing have been built around low breathing, and students have paid
high prices to learn the new systems. But as we have said, much
good has resulted, and after all, the students who paid high prices to
learn revamped old systems undoubtedly got their money's worth if they were induced to discard
the old methods of high breathing and low breathing. Although many Western authorities write
and speak of this method as the best known form of breathing, the Yogis
know it to be but a part of a system which they have used for
centuries, and which they know as the complete breath. It must be admitted,
however, that one must be acquainted with the principles of low breathing before
he can grasp the idea of complete breathing. Let us again consider the diaphragm.
What is it? We have seen that it is the great partition muscle
which separates the chest and its contents from the abdomen and its contents. When
at rest, it presents a concave surface to the abdomen. That is,
the diaphragm as viewed from the abdomen, which seem like the sky is viewed
from the earth the interior of an ARC's surface. Consequently, the site of
the diaphragm toward the chest organs is like a protruding rounded surface, like a
hill. When the diaphragm is brought into use, the hill formation is lowered
and the diaphragm presses upon the abdominal organs and forces out the abdomen. In
low breathing, the lungs are given freer play than in the methods already mentioned,
and consequently more airs in heale. This fact has led the majority of
Western writers to speak in right of low breathing, which they call abdominal breathing
the highest and best method known to science. But the Oriental yogi has long
known of a better method, and some few Western writers have also recognized this
fact. The trouble with all methods of breathing other than yogi complete breathing is
that in none of these methods do the lungs become filled with air. At
the best, only a portion of the lung space is filled. Even in
low breathing. High breathing feels only the upper portion of the lungs. Mid
breathing feels only the middle and a portion of the upper parts. Low breathing
feels only the lower and middle parts. It is evident that any method that
fills the entire lung space must be far preferable to those filling only certain parts.
Any method which will fill the entire lung space must be the greatest value
to man in the way of allowing him to absorb the greatest quantity of oxygen
and to store away the greatest amount of pronum. The complete breath is known
to the Yogis to be the best method of respiration known to science. The
Yogi complete breath. Yogi complete breathing includes all the good points of high breeding,
mid breathing, and low breathing, with the objectionable features of each eliminating.
It brings into play the entire respiratory apparatus, every part of the lungs,
every air cell, every respiratory muscle. The entire respiratory organism responds to
this method of breathing, and the maximum amount of benefit is derived from the
minimum expenditure of energy. The chest cavity is increased to its normal limits in
all directions, and every part of the machinery performs its natural work and functions.
One of the most important features of this method of breathing is the fact
that the respiratory muscles are fully called into play, whereas in the other forms
of breathing only a portion of these muscles are so used in complete breathing.
Among other muscles, those controlling the ribs are actively used, which increases the
space in which the lungs may expand and also gives the proper support to the
organs when needed. Nature availing herself of the perfection of the principle of leverage
in this process, certain muscles hold the lower ribs firmly in position, while
other muscles bend them outward. Then again. In this method, the diaphragm
is under perfect control and is able to perform its functions properly and in such
manner as to yield the maximum degree of service. In the rib action above
alluded to. The lower ribs are controlled by the diaphragm, which draws them
slightly downward, while other muscles hold them in place and the intercostal muscles force
them outward, which combined action increases the mid chest cavity to its maximum.
In addition to this muscular action, the alper ribs are also lifted and forced
outward by the intercostal muscles, which increases the capacity of the upper chest to
its fullest extent. If you have studied the special features of the forgiven methods
of breathing, you will at once see that the complete breath comprises all the
advantageous features of the three other methods, plus the reciprocal advantages accruing from the
combined action of the high chest, mid chest and difragmatic regions, and the
normal rhythm thus obtained. In our next chapter, we will take up the
complete breath in practice, and will give full directions for the acquirement of the
superior method of breathing with exercises, et cetera.