The Complete Breath · Lumitheca

The book behind the practice

The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath

Chapter VIII teaches the Complete Breath: a continuous nasal inhalation beginning with the diaphragm and abdomen, continuing through the ribs and upper chest, followed by a slow exhalation. It recommends feeling the movement with a hand and practising until the parts form one smooth action.

“The inhalation is continuous”

How to Acquire the Yogi Complete Breath · printed pp. 34–35

Read the original pages ↗

About this guide

The original passage and its page scans were checked: reader pages 39–40, original PDF leaves 40–41, edition IMJ-0195-E001. The supplied scan carries copyright notices for 1904 and 1905; the catalogue’s original-publication date is not its edition date.

The guide separates the movement into six teaching stages, then rejoins it. The source includes retaining the breath for a few seconds; this introductory adaptation does not prescribe retention, fixed counts or maximum inhalations. It uses comfortable breaths and avoids forcing the final air out. The higher hand, illustrations, optional movement demonstration, closing step, estimated duration and difficulty are editorial additions. The optional examples show the abdomen moving, the inhalation continuing through the ribs and chest, and the exhalation settling. They show the order of movement, not a breathing pace. The painted movement is made clearer for teaching; its size is not a target to copy.

These are modern painted teaching illustrations, not plates from the book or an anatomical diagram. The abdomen, ribs and upper chest describe movement during one inhalation; they are not separate compartments. The book’s historical medical claims are not promised by this guide. Comfortable, unforced breathing follows NHS breathing guidance.

The complete breath.

The purpose

The practice

You’ve finished the practice.

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