TO KEEP WELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20420, 23 November 1929, Page 9 (Supplement)

TO KEEP WELL.

(By a Specialist)

BREATHE CORRECTLY.

The object of breathing exercises is to assist the sucking in and. expulsion of air from the lungs by movements helping the expansion and contraction of the chest. Such exercises not only increase the ventilation of the lungs, but in addition help to keep supple the numerous joints taking part in the formation of the chest wall.

In ordinary quiet breathing certain parts of the lung, particularly the uppermost portion, are less well ventilated than the rest. Tho poorly expanded and aired parts are loss resistent, and are frequently the starting points of disease of the lungs.

Exertion increases the combustion in the body and more waste products have to be expelled and pure air taken in. In the untrained the wasto products •ccumulate so rapidly that distress and shortness of breath result with comparatively slight exertion.

Trained muscles work more economically than untrained, and a minimum of poisonous products is produced. In addition the trained person learns to increase the ventilation of the lungs mainly by increasing the depth of the breaths, whereas. the untrained does it chiefly by an increase of the number of breaths, which is more exhausting. A few daily breathing exorcises will do much to keep you well, and will prevent coucbs and chest trouble.

In the erect position, heels together, arms Hanging by tlie side of the body, fully stretched—raise arms slowly to heipht of shoulders. The arms should be kept well back, palms' downwards. Head high. In the same time raise yourself on your toes and draw air into the lungs deeply throughout the movement, expanding the chest as much as possible. Let. out (he air slowly while returning (o (he original position. The exercise fthoulr] be repeated six times, in front of Dm open window or out of doors.