It should be added, and with emphasis, that _the habit of deep
breathing makes one immune to the germs of various diseases_. The
practice of breath-control gives a toughened fiber to the whole
breathing apparatus. This and the constant purifying of the blood
develop the body’s vital forces to the highest degree possible, against
which disease is rendered powerless. Thus one may enter into possession
of the health and strength that are his by right; and thus, and thus
only, shall he know the joy of life.
Here is an illustration of what may be done by serious and persistent
attention to breathing. It must be understood, however, that I by no
means advise others to follow my example, although I believe it quite
possible for anybody--man, woman, boy or girl--by constant practice, to
develop the same perfect resistance that I myself have.
For a period of five years, I have made it a rule to dress in January
exactly as in July--except in the matter of an overcoat. I go
without underclothing, I wear no waistcoat, (vest). I do not take
exception to the wearing by others of such garments, during the winter
months. But for myself, as I gradually learned to take advantage of
systematic breathing exercises and thus to charge my blood abundantly
with oxygen, the necessity for much clothing disappeared. Underwear
grew to be uncomfortable. I found myself both happier and healthier
without it. When I wore the heavier clothing in winter, I suffered
from frequent colds. Now I am rarely troubled in that manner. If,
through carelessness, I do catch cold, I am able easily to throw it off
within twenty-four hours by means of extra practice in deep breathing,
together with a short fast.
I do not wish to infer that the heavier clothing is the cause of colds.
My point is, rather, that the extra amount of oxygen I take into my
blood supplies the place of the garments formerly worn by me, as well
as acts in consuming, or burning up, the poisonous material that
gathers in the tissues, and tends to make you _feel_ cold.
Let me repeat that I do not advise anyone to experiment with the
wearing of summer apparel in winter until after several months of
systematic breathing exercises, with the consequent enriching of the
blood. The matter, like that of the cold bath, is one for individual
discrimination.
In my own case, the lighter garb has become actually a necessity for
comfort’s sake.