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MY BREATHING SYSTEM

are widened. The completeness of inhalation is surę to be frustrated, whether the abdomcn be drawn in. or if it be distended, or if its muscles arc braced in any position. In the first case, when the abdominal wali is forcibly drawn inwards (Figs. i and ii), the intcstines are pressed back and upwards against the diaphragm, so that this muscular organ is prevented from sinking and, therefore, front doing its share in inhalation. The abdomen will naturally becotnc morę or less straightencd and flattened, when the ribs are lifted and widened, according to the greater or smaller flexibility of the thorax in various individuals ; but this must not be confused v. ith a voluntary movement of the abdominal muscles. Itt the second case, if the abdominal wali is pushed outwards (Fig. 45) it will not be possible to lift and widen the lower ribs fully, and thus one of the most important expansions of the thorax will be checkcd. Thirdly, if the abdominal wali is braced, in that the muscles forming the wali arc " contracted,” the lower ribs will at the same moment be fixed in a morę or less contracted position. The abdominal wali may be braced cither when fully dis-tended or when complctely drawn inwards, or in any inter-mediate position ; the result—tixation of the lower ribs and conseąuent check of expansion—-will always be the same. The. only cases where the abdominal muscles should be moved voluntarily dttring breathing are, firstly, when they are braced for protective purposes (as explained in the hints for boxcrs, p. 110) ; and. secondly, when the special abdominal breath is intended. 1 his partial respiration is rather important for women who have worn a corset. For men I employ it only in Exercises No. 11 of " My System ” and No. 9 of “ My Five Minutes’ Breathing System." The considerable movement of the abdomen in this case aftords a very beneficial massage to all the intestines.

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