SEARCHING FOR HEALTH

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 3 September 1932, Page 8

SEARCHING FOR HEALTH

,';Vv .. * 'V . V* :/v' VALUE OF DEEP BREATHING

(ERRONEOUS IMPRESSIONS ....’A... CREATED- .... ) ’ ••• • ~ v . \ • . MAKING FULL USE OF LUNGS. £■■■■r*J ■ r : (By “Physical Culturist”). 1 /(All rights reserved). j "What is the meaning of deep breathing, or*, as- it -is commonly termed, abdominal breathing? 'Here are many singers; and elocutionists who proudly I point to a distended stoihaeh as a proof that they are deep breathers. Pushing out of the musclee of the abdomen. and flanks is- not ail indication -that ■ they have the full use of ', their, lungs. ''' Unless one cah also open or the- v ribs one oannot claim - to ’have full lung captivity,,,;' /Deep breathing may -be divided into stages. Firstly, the lower, or as it is", commonly ’ called, adbominal .breathing, in which event the diaphragm descends when inhaling and rises jm* the' shape of a curve when exhaling. This is the basis of all diatphr iagmatic breathing. Having inflated • the lower lung, the second stage and .most important of all is to inflate the middle portion of the lungs, at the same time opening the ribs in a lateral direction. If one has mastered the .art of diaphragmatic breathing he will, with each inspiration and expiration, he enabled to open and close the ribs at will. Having mastered these two stages of breathing the next is the third stage, that of filling the thorax, the upper chest, after which the diaphragm is used to exhale and inhale, keeping the chest arched throughout the exercise. However, this does not mean that one has continually to be what Tommy Atkins calls “chucking the chest-.” Only when exercising is it necessary or desirable to do this; at all other times one may let the chest look after itself. It will . naturally take the desired shape with-out-straining. - -.>■■» - ■ V" Deep breathing exercises are not a cure-all, even they have their limits, but there are a great many'ailments to ‘ which drugs only give “temporary relief in . which properly applied exercises will; affect a .positive; cure. Under thiisi heading oomes Neurathenia. The nervous system is affected in so many different ways that the exercises which will cure one may work havoc with another. , } .One of the .principal nerve . centres *is situated where the breastbones meet in the centre of the body, (called by boxers the solar plexus) and natural," easy, deep breathing has .a soothing effect on the nerve system. Other ailments which quickly respond ‘ are indigestion, fiatulancy and Constipation. One who practices .defep breathisT not ’’ usually subject to colds, while-properly arranged exercises are much 'used-.in -cases , of- angular and lateral curvature of ' the. spme, compressed ribs and chests. Howeverif one- has any idea that he is suffering frorii' organic trouble of any kind he will be well advised to consult a medical- man before commencing j deep breathing or anly exercises with or without _thb 'advice of an expert .': Fof every 'lone capable of giving reliable tuition: there are a number of 'incapwho offer, -at; a-.fee, all things to ail'men; v

THE LATE FRED RIDDLE.

Tlier rvrrffcex' -received"a shock"when a mutual friend advised fiim that “Fred:” Riddle had recently died -suddenly. It was only a few days before that we had met at Hawera in the street,' when one could have takeu-a lease of his life. Though older, and more staid In manner, he seemed much the same., cool customer as on that night nearly 30 years ago lie was one of, Hawera’s hopes in the hoking, t|ng; at Wanganui, Jim McAneny being >tne' other. Fred was a one punch man hnd if lie connected to the jaw it was the end of that bout. I Vete”remember the late. E>., ,%s£>. Worthjy!' arriving Vat my school the night proceeding the championships. Worthy was one of my class and had taken' 'up his residence in Hawera/ coming once a week to Wanganui without' fail: He had not been long- in Hawera until he had gathered a few young physical • culturists round - him, of which’Jim and Fred were his'best pupils at boxing. He had often mentioned -these on his visits and when he presented them we were naturally interested >O-nd curious when he said be. expected them to fight out the final of th middleweight s between them: ; As X had a lad, Cecil Rockell, 1 much fancied ;R>r/this class I was more than However, McAneny ,-ulfir. mately won and Kiddle spoilt my dream by., accounting for Rockell, but thereby "hangs a tale. Rockell, aged 16, was scientific ’ enough 'to act as sparring ' partner to big ‘Toby' Anderf son, who defeated Charlie- Seeling in the heavyweights. . Seeling became a 1905 All. Black forward and is spoken of as the' best Hugger forward ever. Rockell .used to make Anderson box for all he was worth, so Wnngamiites 1 were justified 1 in fancying his chance, but what none of us had reckoned with wag, inexperience and stage fright, but where Riddle .scored,, when the, gong, went for the-! first round Fred advanced,'to the centre of the ring and stood lik& a statue with his left fopt in front; -"the body bent forward and slightly tcroulching. His, .right arm was across his breast and the . left hanging: motionless by his - side. • Rocked, full of go, got quickly to work, weaving in and out and using both left and. right to pile up points. Riddle # meanwhile was attempting no move, and seemed content to let Rockell' store until the gong summoned them to their oorners. The writer, scenting danger from Fred’s hanging left, advised Oeeil th#fc he., was already so much ahead on points that there was no need to make further .gfort and that if Riddle was coniehfc' fo wait he had better do likewise and nob to take 'a chance by leading. Rockell promised to follow the advice and did so by also striking a pose, well away from Riddle. It was not long, however, until the audience, tiring of the tactics, hurled advice to the -boxers-. Riddle took no notice, hut Rockell, who could not stand the taunts, began to box with .misplaced

confidence. In doing so he slowed op. This was what the wily Fred had been waiting for. Up came his left glove to land full and square on Cecil’s jaw —and the subsequent .proceedings interested him no more. The writer has seen many amateur bouts since then but never seen a cooler boxer than Fred Itkldle May he rest in peace.