SCIENCE OF BREATH/PART 6
CHAPTER
VI.
NOSTRIL-BREATHING
VS. MOUTH-BREATHING.
One
of the first lessons in the Yogi Science of Breath, Is to learn how to breathe
through the nostrils, and to overcome the common practice of mouth-breathing.
The
breathing mechanism of Man is so constructed that he may breathe either through
the mouth or nasal tubes, but it is a matter of vital importance to him which
method he follows, as one brings health and strength and the other disease and
weakness.
It
should not be necessary to state to the student that the proper method of
breathing is to take the breath through the nostrils, but alas! the ignorance
among civilized people regarding this simple matter is astounding. We find
people in all walks of life habitually breathing through their mouths, and
allowing their children to follow their horrible and disgusting example.
Many
of the diseases to which civilized man is subject are undoubtedly caused by
this common habit of mouth-breathing. Children permitted to breathe in this way
grow up with impaired vitality and weakened constitutions, and in manhood and
womanhood break down and become chronic invalids. The mother of the savage race
does better, being evidently guided by her intuition. She seems to
instinctively recognize that the nostrils are the proper channels for the
conveyal of air to the lungs, and she trains her infant to close its little
lips and breathe through the nose. She tips its head forward when it is asleep,
which attitude closes the lips and makes nostril-breathing imperative. If our
civilized mothers were to adopt the same plan, it would work a great good for
the race.
Many
contagious diseases are contracted by the disgusting habit of mouth-breathing,
and many cases of cold and catarrhal affections are also attributable to the
same cause. Many persons who, for the sake of appearances, keep their mouth
closed during the day, persist in mouth-breathing at night and often contract disease
in this way.
Carefully
conducted scientific experiments have shown that soldiers and sailors who sleep
with their mouths open are much more liable to contract contagious diseases
than those who breathe properly through the nostrils. An instance is related in
which small-pox became epidemic on a man-of-war in foreign parts, and every
death which resulted was that of some sailor or marine who was a
mouth-breather, not a single nostril-breather succumbing.
The
organs of respiration have their only protective apparatus, filter, or
dust-catcher, in the nostrils. When the breath is taken through the mouth,
there is nothing from mouth to lungs to strain the air, or to catch the dust
and other foreign matter in the air. From mouth to lungs the dirt or impure substance
has a clear track, and the entire respiratory system is unprotected. And,
moreover, such incorrect breathing admits cold air to the organs, thereby
injuring them. Inflammation of the respiratory organs often results from the
inhalation of cold air through the mouth. The man who breathes through the
mouth at night, always awakens with a parched feeling in the mouth and a
dryness in the throat. He is violating one of nature's laws, and is sowing the
seeds of disease.
Once
more, remember that the mouth affords no protection to the respiratory organs,
and cold air, dust and impurities and germs readily enter by that door. On the
other hand, the nostrils and nasal passages show evidence of the careful design
of nature in this respect. The nostrils are two narrow, tortuous channels,
containing numerous bristly hairs which serve the purpose of a filter or sieve
to strain the air of its impurities, etc., which are expelled when the breath
is exhaled. Not only do the nostrils serve this important purpose, but they
also perform an important function in warming the air inhaled. The long narrow
winding nostrils are filled with warm mucous membrane, which coming in contact
with the inhaled air Warms it so that it can do no damage to the delicate
organs of the throat, or to the lungs.
No
animal, excepting man, sleeps with the mouth open or breathes through the
mouth, and in fact it is believed that it is only civilized man who so perverts
nature's functions, as the savage and barbarian races almost invariably breathe
correctly. It is probable that this unnatural habit among civilized men has
been acquired through unnatural methods of living, enervating luxuries and
excessive warmth.
The
refining, filtering and straining apparatus of the nostrils renders the air fit
to reach the delicate organs of the throat and the lungs, and the air is not
fit to so reach these organs until it has passed through nature's refining
process. The impurities which are stopped and retained by the sieves and mucous
membrane of the nostrils, are thrown out again by the expelled breath, in
exhalation, and in case they have accumulated too rapidly or have managed to
escape through the sieves and have penetrated forbidden regions, nature
protects us by producing a sneeze which violently ejects the intruder.
The
air, when it enters the lungs is as different from the outside air, as is
distilled water different from the water of the cistern. The intricate
purifying organization of the nostrils, arresting and holding the impure
particles in the air, is as important as is the action of the mouth in stopping
cherry-stones and fish-bones and preventing them from being carried on to the
stomach. Man should no more breathe through his mouth than he would attempt to
take food through his nose.
Another
feature of mouth-breathing is that the nasal passages, being thus comparatively
unused, consequently fail to keep themselves clean and clear, and become
clogged up and unclean, and are apt to contract local diseases. Like abandoned
roads that soon become filled with weeds and rubbish, unused nostrils become
filled with impurities and foul matter.
One
who habitually breathes through the nostrils is not likely to be troubled with
clogged or stuffy nostrils, but for the benefit of those who have been more or
less addicted to the unnatural mouth-breathing, and who wish to acquire the
natural and rational method, it may perhaps be well to add a few words
regarding the way to keep their nostrils clean and free from impurities.
A
favorite Oriental method is to snuff a little water up the nostrils allowing it
to run down the passage into the throat, from thence it may be ejected through
the mouth. Some Hindu yogis immerse the face in a bowl of water, and by a sort
of suction draw in quite a quantity of water, but this latter method requires
considerable practice, and the first mentioned method is equally efficacious,
and much more easily performed.
Another
good plan is to open the window and breathe freely, closing one nostril with
the finger or thumb, sniffing up the air through the open nostril. Then repeat
the process on the other nostril. Repeat several times, changing nostrils. This
method will usually clear the nostrils of obstructions.
In
case the trouble is caused by catarrh it is well to apply a little vaseline or
camphor ice or similar preparation. Or sniff up a little witch-hazel extract
once in a while, and you will notice a marked improvement. A little care and
attention will result in the nostrils becoming clean and remaining so.
We
have given considerable space to this subject of nostril-breathing, not only
because of its great importance in its reference to health, but because
nostril-breathing is a prerequisite to the practice of the breathing exercises
to be given later in this book, and because nostril-breathing is one of the
basic principles underlying the Yogi Science of Breath.
We
urge upon the student the necessity of acquiring this method of breathing if he
has it not, and caution him against dismissing this phase of the subject as unimportant.
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