The point involved is that the muscles of the chest have a reflex action on other muscles. For instance, when the lungs are full of air all the cells are inflated to the utmost, the chest is stretched, the diaphragm is drawn down. The various muscles of the chest, of the back and of the abdomen are in a state of high tension. This tension should last only during the time in which the breath is held. Moreover, care must be taken that it shall not influence any other muscles besides those directly concerned.
When you exercise the arms rhythmically while the breath is being held, such movement of the arms must not be permitted to influence the breath. The result to be striven for is an intelligent control of the muscles, so that the various groups shall be made to act independently. Every school of gymnastics seeks to attain the same end—with a difference: In this system of breath-control, the lungs are trained—the chief requisite for all health, beauty and vigor.
And now that we have given this much of attention to the “Why?” let us go forward to the “How?” of breath-control.
Preparation for the Exercises
The clothing should be loose, especially around the neck and chest. It is advisable, when convenient, that the collar should be removed for the duration of the exercises. The buttons of the coat and vest, too, should be unfastened. (After a short time it will be found that these buttons must be placed nearer the edges of the garments.)
The girl or woman who wishes to get the best results from these exercises should be sure to have no clothing on that may bind her about the waist, constrict her diaphragm, or press upon her abdominal muscles.
It is almost superfluous to say that she should never attempt her exercises without, at least, first divesting herself of her corset—if she wears corsets. It is better to wear merely the comfortable union suit that so many sensible girls and women now wear. For this affords perfect freedom of movement and permits every muscle to be properly tensed and relaxed by the deep breathing exercises, and the gymnastic movements that accompany them.
The first requirement throughout all the exercises is a preliminary releasing from the lungs of the old, dead air, which is a continual source of self-poisoning. This accumulation must be driven out from the points of the lungs before the new breath is taken. It is repeated also on the conclusion of all the exercises. It must never be neglected.
The Cleansing Breath
Explanation In Detail