The New Science
of Controlled
Breathing
The Secret of Strength,
Energy and Beauty—Through
Breath Control
By EDWARD LANKOW
Leading basso with the Boston, Metropolitan and
Chicago Opera Companies. World-renowned
singer and teacher of the new science
of controlled breathing
LESSON II
Controlled Breathing as a Means of Exercise
CORRECTIVE EATING SOCIETY, Inc.
47 West Sixteenth Street
NEW YORK CITY
Copyright, 1922,
Corrective Eating Society, Inc.
LESSON II
Controlled Breathing as a Means ofExercise
Many theories concerning the art ofbreathing have been exploited in recentyears. Numerous books dealing with thesubject have been offered to the public.The net results, however, have been unsatisfactory.The appeal of this propagandahas met with comparatively littleresponse. The truth as to the importanceof right method in breathingmay have been presented, but it has remainedvalueless, since it has not beenaccepted and acted upon by those towhom it was addressed. Perhaps ingreat measure the fault lies in the factthat the various advocates of breath-systemshave been too vague in theirteachings, have expounded the theoryrather than the practice.
It is for this reason that I have beenat pains to describe all necessary exercisesin such detail as to make the practiceof them simple and easy for everyreader, I have arranged them in such[4]order as to make sure a rapid progresstoward perfect breath-control, with itsconsequent increase in health, beauty,efficiency and happiness.
It seems, indeed, difficult to impresson anybody not familiar with the wonderfuladvantages of correct breathing,a full recognition of the vital bearingbreath-control has on the well-being ofthe individual. Air is too ridiculouslycheap to be much respected by most persons.And, too, breathing is ordinarilyautomatic, requiring no thought. Naturallyenough, then, most persons giveit no attention, since they have no realizationof its importance.
Nature has provided that all greatthings should be essentially simple. Itis thus with the process of breathing,which is the chief vital functioning ofthe body.
An ancient philosopher has said:
“The more we desire to have thatwhich is superfluous, the more we meetwith difficulties; the more necessary thething is for living beings, the moreeasily it is found and the cheaper it is:air, water and food are indispensableto man. Air is most necessary, for if[5]man is without air a few moments hedies, whilst he can be without water aday or longer. Air is undoubtedly foundmore easily and is cheaper than water.Water is more necessary than food, andis proportionately cheaper; and so on, asto the different kinds of food and luxuries.”
Note well the undeniable fact as assertedby the philosopher, that air is ofthe first importance.
If air had to be paid for, or if only avery limited amount were to be distributedto each consumer, there would bean instant and universal recognition ofits supreme value. Its restriction