63352 mbs 110

MY BREATHING SYSTEM

and decply while ducking, bending, crouching, side-stepping, and during all other quick movements of the body. The slow rhythm of the breath must be quitc independent of whatever eLsc lic is doing. The severest degrees of Excrcises Nos. 2, 5, 16, 17 and iS of “ My System ” and the last half of " The Daily Five Minutes ’’ form splendid training for this purpose, the quick trimk movements, when performed at a ratę of at least four double movements during one complete respiration.

As long as tlić body is out of reach, the boxcr should respire as nearly as possiblc according to the schemc of my complete breath, taking fuli advantagc of the costal breath-.ing. But as soon as it comes to close quarters, tlie boxer must brace the whole abdominal wali in order to protect his stornach, and, above all, the solar plcxus. If the upper part of the straight abdominal musclcs are in a State of softness and the ribs relaxed, a blow in this region will go through and do damage. But if these muscles are thick, strong and hardened, and the ribs ńxed. a severe blow can be taken here without much harm. Almost every athletc understands how to brace these muscles and fix the lower ribs. But nine out of ten will, at the same time, hołd the breath. Now, it is obvious that, if a boxer holds his breath for several seconds and repeats this performance frequently during a round, hc will very soon bc out of breath. And if ile, gasping for air, relaxes the abdominal wali then he will easily be knockcd out, or, at all events, be hurt severely if he is hit on the mark. He must, therefore, learn how to kcep a regular breath going, even when the abdominal muscles are braced and the lower ribs thereby complctely ńxed. It is somewliat difficult to breathe under these conditions, bccause it is quite impracticable to move the lower ribs. The only possible form of respiration in this case is, then, a combination of clavicular and diaphragmatic breathing, which must be

1x0