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.
THE YOGI 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, etc., will find this
breath especially restful, after having tired the respiratory organs.
(1) Inhale a complete breath.
(2) Retain the air a few seconds.
(3) Pucker up the lips as if for a whistle (but do not swell
out the cheeks), then exhale a little air through the
opening, with considerable vigor. Then stop 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 centers, which in turn stimulate and energize
the entire nervous system, and send an increased flow of nerve force
to all parts of the body.
(1) Stand erect.
(2) Inhale a Complete Breath, and retain same.
(3) Extend the arms straight in front of you, letting them
be somewhat limp and relaxed, with only sufficient nerve
force to hold them out.
(4) Slowly draw the hands back toward 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 tremulous motion is felt.
(5) Then, keeping the muscles tense, push the fists slowly
out, and then draw them back rapidly (still tense) several
times.
(6) Exhale vigorously through the mouth.
(7) 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 faithfully. 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.
(1) Inhale a Complete Breath very slowly, but steadily,
through the nostrils, taking as much time as possible in the
inhalation.
(2) Retain for a few seconds.
(3) Expel the air vigorously in one great breath, through
the wide opened mouth.
(4) Rest the lungs by the Cleansing Breath.
Without going deeply into the Yogi theories of sound-production in
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, etc.,
have much to do with the matter. Some men with large chests produce
but a poor tone, while others with comparatively small chests produce
tones of amazing strength and quality. Here is an interesting
experiment worth trying: Stand before a glass and pucker 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.