“Breath
is Life”
To breathe is to live. Life is entirely
dependent on the breath; all living things, including plants, must have air to
live. Breath is ever present, from the moment at a baby fills its lungs, to the
last gasp of a dying man. “Life is nothing but a series of breaths” says an
Indian proverb.
While we may live without eating for
several days, and without drinking for many hours how many minutes can we last
without breathing? Man must not only breath to live, but should do so in such a
way that he maintains constant vitality and avoids illness. Unfortunately, the
number of people who know how to breathe properly is very small. Most people
breath in a haphazard was as may be seen by cramped chests, stooping shoulders
and the development of respiratory illness. It has been noted that
unsatisfactory breathing habits decrease resilience and shorten life.
Whether they know it or not, some people breathe
from the upper part of the chest (clavicle), others from the thorax, and third
group from the diaphragm. Each one of these types of breathing is incomplete,
for only one part of the lungs is filled with air. Research maid in India by
various Yoga institutes has shown that these kinds of breathing do not provide
man with uniform development, whether Physical, mental or spiritual.
The Rishis declare that the three types of
breathing should be combined, so that they from a single breathing pattern,
similar to the movement of a wave. This is known as ‘complete Yogic Breathing.’
It allows the lungs to be totally filled, and is of the greatest value to man
in that it enables him to absorb quantity of oxygen and to store a large amount
of Prana. The Yogis also consider this type of breathing not only to ensure a
long life by granting man unflagging vitality, and great powers of resistance,
but also as an essential factor in his psychic and spiritual development.
The Yogis emphasize the point that complete
Yogic breathing is the basis for all breathing exercises (Pranayama).Complete
Yogic breathing consists of three parts:
*The abdomen
*The middle part of the chest (Thorax);
*The upper part of the chest (Clavicle).
One should always inhale and exhale through
the nose. The small screen of hair inside the nose not only filters the air,
but also prevents impurities such as dust, harmful gases, minute insects, etc.,
from penetrating into the organism.
“The nose is to breathe; the mouth is to
eat and to speak whenever necessary”
1. Breathing from the abdomen:
The easiest method is to put the hands
lightly on the abdomen so that its movements may be felt. During inhalation,
the abdomen should be allowed to expand a little, like a bow, as the lower part
of the lungs filled with air. During exhalation, the abdomen is allowed to sink
in again This action should be repeated several times. (This is an excellent
internal massage for all the abdominal organs. It regularizes the functioning
of the intestines and stimulates the digestion)
2. Breathing from the Thorax.
Put the hand on either side of the ribs
without pressing, inhale slowly inflating the sides then contract them by
exhaling, like an accordion; repeat several times. (Purifies the blood,
improves circulation and calms the heart.)
3. Breathing from the upper part of the
chest
Puts the hands on each side of the clavicle
(upper chest) touching it with the fingers. Contract the stomach slightly.
Inhale slowly pushing the clavicle upwards then begins to exhale pushing it
downwards. This exercise should also be repeated several times. (Thoroughly
cleans and fortifies the upper chest.)
