(a) Exhale “ss.”
(b) Inhale slowly. “Hiss” through smallest opening of lips and closed
teeth. Place hands on diaphragm, as in Photograph 3.
(c) Hold breath several seconds.
(d) Exhale slowly “ss” through small opening of lips and teeth.
(e) Several cleaning breaths. =Long= pause.
This is never to be performed more than twice at one time, during the
first two months.
With girls or women who are inclined to stoutness, it may sometimes
be well to place the hands immediately under the busts--slightly
supporting the breasts--instead of on the hips.
It will be found that the “relaxing” movements can thus be performed
with more comfort--until such time as the muscles supporting the busts
gain in strength and elasticity.
Care should be taken at first not to take in too much breath, nor to
hold the breath too long. This matter, however, is entirely individual.
Naturally, a greater amount of care must be exercised by a delicate
child or by a consumptive than by a healthy youth.
And right here it should be emphasized that, if you are a business man,
sitting for long hours every day at a desk, you should, in order to
derive the maximum amount of good from these breathing exercises, plan
to stand up, near the open window and spend a few minutes practicing
some of these simple exercises.
You will often find that what you thought was the fatigue of overwork
is nothing more or less than staying too long in a close atmosphere,
and making an insufficient use of your organs of respiration.
The feeling of freshness these exercises will impart, the increased
vigor and the enhanced clearness of mind that will come to you, will
prove a grateful source of surprise.
Many men, formerly in the habit of visiting for a cocktail, take a few
deep breaths in this scientific manner. They claim that this Fresh Air
Cocktail is better than any coffee or liquor stimulant. And it can be
certain that nothing but good effects can ever follow it.
By this system of breathing you can build up a wonderful physique. You
can become strong and active, and have a superabundance of health and
vitality--and without spending more than a few minutes a day at your
breathing exercises. After a short time the _habit_ for slow, deep
breathing is formed, and as with all habits, it requires no attention
whatsoever.