How Consciously Controlled Breathing Makes You Resist Disease

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.