DEEP BREATHING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 30 July 1924, Page 8

DEEP BREATHING

We all breathe, but we all breathe badly. Most of us, if subjected to an examination by an expert singing master, woukl fail Jo satisfy him. We should be told to take a course of breathing exercises before we could staid our singing lessons proper. The mechanism of the ribs is very .complicated, and the anatomy is difficult to understand, but the main effect of the rib attachment to the spine, and the shape of the rib itself is that when the lib is raised it also expands sideways and pushes the breastbone forward. Thus the cavity of the chest is increased in measurement from side to side and from before backward. There is yet. another direction, from above downward, and this diameter is increased by tbo falling of the diaphragm. Tins last movement is of great interest, for you will sec that the diaphragm, in order to descend, must Lave “elbow room.” If the abdomen is full of food, wind, beer, fermenting remains of meals, as well as all the organs (liver, etc.), the poor old diaphragm is prevented from moving in the downward direction. This makes you feci breathless, and you buy some lung tonic, not appreciating that the stomach and digestion arc at fault. So you see, when I began writing this paragraph on deep breathing, 1 did not get very far without dealing with wind m the stomach. . . The body must be regarded as a whole, and not from the narrow point of view of one system. lam therefore going to insist on this test, and yog must all try it. Can you take twenty deep breaths without out o breath and gasping and saying B dear me!”? Remember that all the movements of respiration are carried out bv muscles. There are little muscles between the ribs, and they all need keeping up to the mark. Some of you never take a deep breath Your breathing muscles are all flabby. lhe expansion of your oliesb is only half w it should be, and you do not get the full benefit of each breath. You must get the fresh air down into your lungs and the blood will then carry it all around the body. Deep breathing will cure many ills. I am going to start a school where you will all stand m a row ancl breathe and breathe and breathe. _____