Hindu Squats

Rhythmic Breathing Exercise

The idea of rhythmic breathing is to “catch the swing” in order to absorb and control a greatly increased amount of internal energy. This will develop the technique of getting into the rhythm of the hindu squats.

In rhythmic breathing the main thing to be acquired is the mental idea of rhythm. Think of the idea of measured counting like in music or the rhythmic steps of soldiers and you will get the idea. A little practice will fix the rhythm, so that you will be able to easily reproduce it every time you practice hindu squats.

The following exercise in Rhythmic Breathing should be thoroughly mastered, as it forms the basics of correct breathing for many types of exercises apart from hindu squats.

• Sit erect, in an easy posture, being sure to hold the chest, neck and head as nearly in a straight line as possible, with shoulders slightly thrown back and hands resting easily on the lap. In this position the weight of the body is largely supported by the ribs and the position may be easily maintained. You will find that you cannot get the best effect of rhythmic breathing with the chest drawn in and the abdomen protruding.

• Inhale slowly a Complete Breath, counting six.

• Retain, counting three.

• Exhale slowly through the nostrils, counting six.

• Count three between breaths.

• Repeat a number of times, but avoid fatiguing yourself at the start.

• When you are ready to close the exercise, practice the cleansing breath (as detailed below), which will rest you and cleanse the lungs.

After a little practice you will be able to increase the duration of the inhalations and exhalations, just remember that the units for retention and between breaths is one-half the units for inhalation and exhalation.

Do not overdo yourself in your effort to increase the duration of the breath, but pay as much attention as possible to acquiring the “rhythm,” as that is more important than the length of the breath. Practice and try until you get the measured “swing” of the movement, and until you can almost “feel” the rhythm of the vibratory motion throughout your whole body.