East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-08-31

~ REATH Is the essence of life
N without breath there is no life
When breathing stops then death
comes. If breathing. pumping the oxy-
gen into the lungs. is so important to
life, why is II that 50 many of us neglect
this healthful function by incorrect or
insufficient breathingI 1t is chiefly,
think, because we are not taught how
to breathe when we are young and do
not realize the necessity for deep breath
ing as we grow older. The average
person breathes in only enough oxygen
TO areate the top of the lungs This is
one of the fundamental reasons for con-
sumption and pneumonia, this neglect of
the lungs.
There is nothing that so tones up the
system generally as deep breathing or
keeps one so immune to contagious
germs. 1t behoves us, therefore, 30 learn
thing or two about this valuable
health-giver, so cheap and 50 easy once
you have learned the trick
Every singing teacher. every gym
teacher. every swimming teacher begins
by telling his pupils how to breathe
Breath control is something that requires
practice. Once it becomes mechanical
it can be entirely disregArded and you
are on the long road to health and hap
piness.
Oxygen to the lungs is as necessary as
air to FIRE; without full quota of Fife
giving onone these wonderful little ven
tilators inside the body will not throw
of the poisons that collect in the blood.
You can begin to see now, can't you,
what deep breathing does for you?
Proper breathing IS through the nose
always, leaving it TO the mouth for 'ex-
pelling the breath in speaking or sing
ing or in severe, exertion. Anything
which obstructs the nasal passages and
makes mouth h-breathing necessary should
be avoided. A nasal douche or snuffing
of salt water will keep the nose clear I'M
less serious catarrhal trouble is present
notwithstanding makes the lips weak
and thick, the speech indistinct, even
brings on stammering; a continually
open mouth besides being rather stupid
and disgusting looking causes the front
teeth to become dry and to discolor and
decay. Air passing through the nose be-
comes warmed before it reaches the del
ieate organs of the throat, but in throat
breathing this is not the case and sore
throat often results.
Now no one can breathe correctly who
docs not sit correctly. Chest and lungs
cannot expand il the body is all slumped
in a chair. An erect posture should be
the aim of all those seeking health. Men
and uncorseted women will probably
find a development of the abdominal
muscles a great aid in throwing of inn
pure air. When you are impelled to
breathe deep you can feel the diaphragm
relax and fsll into the abdominal cavity
which expands and forces the diaphragm
upward, driving the impure air from
the lungs. In women with corsets the
breathing is apt to be thoraeio, confined
to the chest. Practice abdominal
breathing. therefore, without the correct.
1t will strengthen the muscles and pre-
vent many unpleasant diseases later on.
Breathing exercises or forced respira-
ton should take place at least three times
a day. Practice them before an open
window where a good supply of fresh
air can be had. There are three pro
cesses in every breathing exereise-hrst
the oollarbone and shoulders are raised
as high as possible, the chest is then ex-
handed and lastly the diaphragm de-
pressed. With the lungs thus expanded
10 their fullest capacity, the breath is
held as long as possible and then eS-
PEELED BY an abrupt and forced expira-
ton. A little practice viii soon make
YOU able to hold your breath this way '
for half minute. Try it today and see I
how many times you can count by slap I
ping your chest from one breath. Your 4
should increase every day.
Practice this about ten times at one \
standing
To learn breath control, it is good 5
plan to try and expel the breath slowly {
from between pursed lips, or through the
teeth in a kissing sound Whisilins is i