Yoga Philosophy

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi, Bhagu F Karbhari
Publisher: Devchand Lalbhai Pustakoddhar Fund

Page 63

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THE SCIENCE OF BREATHING. with more force from the right nostril we are positive ; if from the left, we are negative, and we can change these conditions either by the will or by changing the position of the body, that is by throwing the body on one side or on the other. Therefore while we physically require the presence of oxygen in the body we also require the presence of these ethers and must understand their laws. First of all, the system of breathing that is advocated by the Hindus is the full or deep breathing, and in this also the breathing must be rhythmical. The inspiration and expiration should be regulated at certain times every day in such a way as to breathe out and breathe in during a certain number of seconds. This exercise should be carried on for five or ten minutes at first and afterwards the time may be increased gradually till it reaches half an hour, but never longer than that for ordinary persons, because it may be exhausting to the system. We should breathe in for a certain length of time, and then the breath should be retained for half that time, for instance if the breathing in is for four seconds, the breath should be retained for two seconds, and then the breathing out should occupy four seconds, or the same time as the breathing in. There are certain positions in which the practice of breathing should be taken. The position should first of all be comfortable and easy; among the Hindus the most comfortable position is sitting on the floor with the legs crossed, but as that would be irksome to
se who are not accustomed to it some other position