In the practice of the Complete Breath, during inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and exerts a gentle pressure upon the liver, stomach and other organs, which in connection with the rhythm of the lungs acts as a gentle massage of these organs and stimulates their actions, and encourages normal functioning.  Each inhalation aids in this internal exercise, and assists in causing a normal circulation to the organs of nutrition and elimination.  In High or Mid Breathing the organs lose the benefit accruing from this internal massage.

The Western world is paying much attention to Physical Culture just now, which is a good thing.  But in their enthusiasm they must not forget that the exercise of the external muscles is not everything.  The internal organs also need exercise, and Nature’s plan for this exercise is proper breathing.  The diaphragm is Nature’s principal instrument for this internal exercise.  Its motion vibrates the important organs of nutrition and elimination, and massages and kneads them at each inhalation and exhalation, forcing blood into them, and then squeezing it out, and imparting a general tone to the organs.  Any organ or part of the body which is not exercised gradually atrophies and refuses to function properly, and lack of the internal exercise afforded by the diaphragmatic action leads to diseased organs.  The Complete Breath gives the proper motion to the diaphragm, as well as exercising the middle and upper chest.  It is indeed “complete” in its action.

From the standpoint of Western physiology alone, without reference to the Oriental philosophies and science, this Yogi system of Complete Breathing is of vital importance to every man, woman and child who wishes to acquire health and keep it.  Its very simplicity keeps thousands from seriously considering it, while they spend fortunes in seeking health through complicated and expensive “systems.”  Health knocks at their door and they answer not.  Verily the stone which the builders reject is the real cornerstone of the Temple of Health.

CHAPTER X.

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 is attributed much of the great lung 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.