San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-02-01
breath Gymnastics.

Is generaily auinitteu' Well-ventilated
rooms, open-air exercise, and excursion,
into the country are appreciated by all
classes to some extent. But the art Of
breathing is very much overlooked. Be.
ing process not depending on the will
for its exercise, it is too much left to the
Amere call of nAtare.. It is. however, an
act which can be Influenced very mate.
rally by the viii. Properly trained sing.
ers are taught to attend very carefully
to their breathing.
When brisk muscular exercise is taken
breathing is active without any especial
effort. Bnt when the body is at rest,
or is engaged in occupation requiring a
confined posture, and especially when
the mind is absorbed in thought, the
breathing naturally becomes diminish.
ed, and the action of the lungs slow and
feeble. The consequence is that the OK
ygenation of the blood is imperfectly
carried on. Even in taking constitu.
tional walk the full benefit is not attain.
ed for want of thorough breathing.
As remedy for this it has been sug-
gested that there is room for what might
be fifty termed breath gymnastics-to
draw in long and full breaths, filling the
lungs full at every inspiration, and
emptying them as completely as posi-
BILE at every expiration, and to acquire
the habit of full breathing at all times.
This mode of breathing has direct
effect in supplying the largest possible
amount of oxygen to the blood and more
thoroughly consuming the carbon and 80
producing animal heat. It has also the
very important effect of expanding the
chest and SO contributing to the vigor
of the system. -'' -''''--
The breath should be inhaled by the
nostrils as well as by the mouth, moro
especially while out Of doors in cold
weather. This has partly the effect of q
respirator in SO far as warming the air
in its way to the delicate air cells and in
also rendering one less liable to catch
cold. ~,
This full respiration is Of SO much i'm
portance that no proper substitute is to
be found for it in the shorter though
more rapid breathing. In short breath
ing many of the air cells remain nearly
stationary, the upper portion of the lungs
only being occupied in receiving and
discharging small portion of air.
Profound thought, intense grief, and
other similar mental manifestations have
depressing effect on respiration. The
blood unduly accumulates in the brain,
and the circulation in both heart and
lungs becomes diminished, unless, in
deed, there be feverishness present. An
occasional deep breath or long-drawn
sigh is the natural relief in such case,
nature making an effort to provide rem
edy. This hint should be acted on and
followed up. Brisk muscular exercise in
the open air, even during inclement
weather, is an excellent antidOte, OF
physical kind for "rooted sorrow"
And the earnest student, instead OF ty-
ing himself continuously to his desk,
might initiate friend of the writer OF
this, who studied and wrote while on his
legs. Pacing his room, blad in hand
with paper attached, he stopped as oc-
casion required to pen sentence or
paragraph.
Breathing is the first and last act OF
man, and is OF theme vital necessity
all through life. Persons with full, broad,
deep chests usually breathe freely and
slowly, and large nostrils generally &C.
company large chests. Such persons
rarely take cold, and when they do they
throw it off easily. The opposite build
of chest is more predisposed to lung dis
ease. The pallid complexion and con-
spicuous blue veins show that oxygen Is
wanted, and that every means should DC
used to obtain it, Deep breathing also
promotes perspiration, by increasing tne
circulation and the animal warmth
Waste is more rapidly repaired, and the
skin is put in requisition to remove tne
used materials. Many forms of disease
may be thus prevented, and more Vigor'
GUS health enjoyed.