d has lost his birthright. And we
wish to remind the reader that the Complete Breath does not
necessarily call for the complete filling of the lungs at every
inhalation. One may inhale the average amount of air, using the
Complete Breathing Method and distributing the air inhaled, be the
quantity large or small, to all parts of the lungs. But one should
inhale a series of full Complete Breaths several times a day, whenever
opportunity offers, in order to keep the system in good order and
condition.

The following simple exercise will give you a clear idea of what the
Complete Breath is:

(1) Stand or sit erect. Breathing through the nostrils,
inhale steadily, first filling the lower part of the lungs,
which is accomplished by bringing into play the diaphragm,
which descending exerts a gentle pressure on the abdominal
organs, pushing forward the front walls of the abdomen. Then
fill the middle part of the lungs, pushing out the lower
ribs, breast-bone and chest. Then fill the higher portion of
the lungs, protruding the upper chest, thus lifting the
chest, including the upper six or seven pairs of ribs. In
the final movement, the lower part of the abdomen will be
slightly drawn in, which movement gives the lungs a support
and also helps to fill the highest part of the lungs.

At first reading it may appear that this breath consists of
three distinct movements. This, however, is not the correct
idea. The inhalation is continuous, the entire chest cavity
from the lowered diaphragm to the highest point of the chest
in the region of the collar-bone, being expanded with a
uniform movement. Avoid a jerky series of inhalations, and
strive to attain a steady continuous action. Practice will
soon overcome the tendency to divide the inhalation into
three movements, and will result in a uniform continuous
breath. You will be able to complete the inhalation in a
couple of seconds after a little practice.

(2) Retain the breath a few seconds.

(3) Exhale quite slowly, holding the chest in a firm
position, and having the abdomen in a little and lifting it
upward slowly as the air leaves the lungs. When the air is
entirely exhaled, relax the chest and abdomen. A little
practice will render this part of the exercise easy, and the
movement once acquired will be afterwards performed a