p breathing, and there is
no question as to the benefit of the involuntary or
spontaneous inhalation and exhalation thus induced. Running and
wrestling are types of very vigorous athletic exercises that will
compel one to breathe deeply and fully, and will insure a full lung
development without special breathing exercises. And this is more
especially true if much exercise of this character is taken regularly,
day after day, all the year round. But where the occupation and
surroundings are such that one cannot indulge in such active
pastimes, or where the time for such exercises is necessarily limited,
frequent voluntary deep-breathing exercises can be highly commended.
About the best example of the proper use of the diaphragm and the
natural movement of the abdominal and dorsal region in correct
breathing is illustrated in a small child. In nearly all cases an active
healthy child will breathe properly, and by studying the movement
of his abdomen in both standing and reclining positions you will find
that as the breath is inhaled the abdominal region will expand. When
the breath is exhaled this part of the body will contract or be drawn
inward. This demonstrates very conclusively that the movement or
expansion of the body in natural breathing is abdominal, and that the
bony framework of the chest should not be involved except when taking
full deep breaths, or when breathing hard from the effects of very
vigorous exercise.

It is not at all necessary to go through a complicated system in order
to learn proper methods of breathing, since this is comparatively
simple if you are willing to make persistent efforts day after day until
you are fittingly rewarded. If you simply acquire the habit of drawing
in a deep full breath, at frequent intervals during the day, expanding
first in the abdominal region, you will soon be able to breathe
properly. A correct position of the body is very important, for if you
have the proper erect posture, and have no constricting clothing about
the waist and abdominal region, you will almost instinctively be
inclined to breathe diaphragmatically, or abdominally, as we call it.
Furthermore, when going out in the open air you will find as a result of
this practice that you are unconsciously expanding in the proper manner
as suggested. In fact, you will be more inclined to breathe freely and
deeply at all times if a proper position is maintained. It is h