The power or force transmitted from the brain to all parts of the body by means of the nerves, is known to Western science as “nerve force,” although the Yogi knows it to be a manifestation of Prana.  In character and rapidity it resembles the electric current.  It will be seen that without this “nerve force” the heart cannot beat; the blood cannot circulate; the lungs cannot breathe; the various organs cannot function; in fact the machinery of the body comes to a stop without it.  Nay more, even the brain cannot think without Prana be present.  When these facts are considered, the importance of the absorption of Prana must be evident to all, and the Science of Breath assumes an importance even greater than that accorded it by Western science.

The Yogi teachings go further than does Western science, in one important feature of the Nervous System.  We allude to what Western science terms the “Solar Plexus,” and which it considers as merely one of a series of certain matted nets of sympathetic nerves with their ganglia found in various parts of the body.  Yogi science teaches that this Solar Plexus is really a most important part of the Nervous System, and that it is a form of brain, playing one of the principal parts in the human economy.  Western science seems to be moving gradually towards a recognition of this fact which has been known to the Yogis of the East for centuries, and some recent Western writers have termed the Solar Plexus the “Abdominal Brain.”  The Solar Plexus is situated in the Epigastric region, just back of the “pit of the stomach” on either side of the spinal column.  It is composed of white and gray brain matter, similar to that composing the other brains of man.  It has control of the main internal organs of man, and plays a much more important part than is generally recognized.  We will not go into the Yogi theory regarding the Solar Plexus, further than to say that they know it as the great central store-house of Prana.  Men have been known to be instantly killed by a severe blow over the Solar Plexus, and prize fighters recognize its vulnerability and frequently temporarily paralyze their opponents by a blow over this region.

The name “Solar” is well bestowed on this “brain,” as it radiates strength and energy to all parts of the body, even the upper brains depending largely upon it as a storehouse of Prana.  Sooner or later Western science will fully recognize the real function of the Solar Plexus, and will accord to it a far more important place then it now occupies in their text-books and teachings.

CHAPTER VI.

NOSTRIL-BREATHING VS.  MOUTH-BREATHING.

One of the first lessons in the Yogi Science of Breath, Is to learn how to breathe through the nostrils, and to overcome the common practice of mouth-breathing.

The breathing mechanism of Man is so constructed that he may breathe either through the mouth or nasal tubes, but it is a matter of vital importance to him which method he follows, as one brings health and strength and the other disease and weakness.