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THE SCIENCE OF BREATHING - 209 different things, because the Hindus observe other rules also. But one great rule of all these is to adopt that kind of dress which will assist us best in the cibservance of these rules. Perhaps you know that in India the dress is such that it does not hamper any part of the body. If a person in this country, therefore, wishes to practise these rules of breathing the first rule to be observed before practising the science is that the dress should be perfectly loose especially for ladies, the corset should be abandoned altogether, No: lady ought to practise this science until this is avoided altogether. There is another reason for leaving off the corset. Just above the navel is a great plexus which is very important, and one consequence of tight lacing is that that plexus itself will not work. It is a great center of powers, and the mystical powers which are received, are received generally by means of this plexus. If this plexus does not work it means an absence of spirituality, and as long as it is not allowed to work, no one can rise in that respect. Men also must observe these rules. With regard to diet, which is also an important part, the Yogis adopt different rules for their acquirement of occult powers, but we know that we are not all able to follow those rules in entirety, though there are some of them which are equally applicable to the Yogis and to us. There are certain things which affect our physical nature in such a way as to stop the flow of the breath. When a person sits or stands in such a way that the respiratory organs cannot work, the person is fatigued, and cannot receive the best
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