Speaker 1: 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.