USE THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES IN BREATHING.
By O. C. Godsmark
IN correct breathing the work is performed principally by the muscles of the abdomen. As the air passes in through the nostrils, down deep into the lungs, the lower front portion of the abdomen should be pressed downward and outward, leaving the shoulders and upper portions of the chest to remain motionless, or nearly so. Then, as the air is expelled from the lungs, the front portion of the abdomen should be drawn up and in, as though the abdomen were a real bellows to open out and permit the air to fill the lungs, and then to close in and drive the air up out of them again. By thus breathing the labor is thrown upon the muscles of the abdomen, where nature seems to indicate that it should be, thus relieving the chest and lungs of that unnatural strain which is otherwise constantly brought to bear upon them. There are many reasons why this method of breathing is highly beneficial to the general health, and for some troubles may be counted almost a sure specific. If those who are troubled with constipation or any of the long list of ills that follow in its train will consider the effect this abdominal breathing has upon the action of the intestines, they can but see a lasting remedy that far surpasses any patent nostrum ever put upon the public. With every breath that is drawn, the downward outward motion of the abdomen gives a gentle yet positive action to every portion of the internal viscera, which motion nature must have in order to properly carry on the process of digestion. The liver in its secretion of bile, the pancreas in the production of pancreatic juice, the intestines in the secretion of their juices, the kidneys in their operations, and even the stomach itself, will be greatly benefited by this method of breathing. It is safe to say that not one out of twenty breathe as they should. An effort is made to stand erect by merely holding the head erect and trying to crowd the shoulders back, giving the hips little or no attention. Get the hips and abdomen in position, and the shoulders will care for themselves, we will assume a graceful carriage, and find our general health improving. In order to breathe correctly we must have the proper position in sitting, standing, or walking, and that is the position usually assumed by portly people. Imagine yourself as possessed of a large, full abdomen, then draw the air through the nostrils into the chest by decidedly lowering the front portion of the abdomen, and expel the air again by drawing these muscles up and in. Nothing that has to do with our health is of more importance than is our breathing. By taking full, deep inspirations of air, using the muscles of the abdomen as above stated, one can but realize a very perceptible improvement in his general health. With many the “stomach, liver, lungs, and brain are suffering for the want of deep, full inspirations of air, which would electrify the blood and impart to it a bright, lively color, and which alone can keep it pure and give tone and vigor to every part of the living machinery.”—Testimony, Vol. 2, p. 67. By incorrect breathing, especially when the clothing is tight or hangs from the hips, this motion is entirely lost to the abdomen, and the contents of the intestines too frequently become stagnated, allowing the poisonous fluids to be absorbed into the system again, to do their deadly work of poisoning the entire body and clouding the brain.