Massage & Exercises Combined / A permanent physical culture course for men, women and children; health-giving, vitalizing, prophylactic, beautifying; a new system of the characteristic essentials of gymnastic and Indian Yogis concentration exercises combined with scientific massage movements; with 86 illustrations and deep breathing exercises

by Albrecht Jensen

The Special Deep Breathing Exercise
No. III

Position.—Standing erect, with shoulders back, but without strain, arms hung loosely downward to sides.

1. Inhale as deeply as possible through the nose.

2. Stretch both arms easily outward to sides in line with shoulders.

3. Bring the hands to the shoulders, gradually contracting the hands in such a way that when they reach the shoulders the fists are very strongly clenched.

4. During this tension of the muscles, bend the fists rapidly outward and inward from ten to twenty times.

5. Exhale the air vigorously through the mouth, at the same time dropping the arms loosely downward to sides.

6. Take a shorter but deep breath, lasting three to five seconds.

Besides being beneficial to the lungs, the respiratory muscles and the heart; this exercise is also very beneficial for the vitality of the nerves, especially those of the brachial plexus (the nerves of the arms, shoulders, upper back and upper chest).