"Breath Is Life"

The act of breathing of air is absolutely required for continued existence of our life. To breathe is to live, and without breath there is no life. From the first faint breath of the infant to the last gasp of the dying man, it is one long story of continued breathing. Life is a series of breaths.

Breathing may be considered as the most important of all of the functions of the body. All other functions depend upon it. Man may exist some time without eating; a shorter time without drinking; but without breathing his existence may be measured by a few minutes.

The correct habits of breathing are essentially required for continued vitality and freedom from diseases. An intelligent control of our breathing power will lengthen our life span by giving us increased vitality and powers of resistance, and, on the other hand, unintelligent and careless breathing will tend to shorten our days. The percentage of civilized men who breathe correctly is quite small, and the result is shown in contracted chests and stooping shoulders, and the terrible increase in diseases of the respiratory organs.

Man's mental power, happiness, self-control, clear-sightedness, morals, and even his spiritual growth may be increased by breathing correctly.

By practicing 'Pranayama', we can attain control of our body, and can send to any organ or part of our body an increased flow of vital force or "prana," thereby strengthening and invigorating the part or organ. The rhythmical breathing will bring us into harmonious vibration with nature, and activate our latent powers. Controlled breathing not only cures many diseases in us, but also practically do away with fear and worry.