Speaker 1: 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.