William Walker Atkinson Quotes

“1) 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. The Yogi has found that one cannot get the best effect of rhythmic breathing with the chest drawn in and the abdomen protruding.

2) Inhale slowly a Complete Breath, counting six pulse units.

3) Retain, counting three pulse units.

4) Exhale slowly through the nostrils, counting six pulse units.

5) Count three pulse beats between breaths.

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

7) When you are ready to close the exercise, practice cleansing breath, which will rest you and cleanse the lungs.”

“A favorite Oriental method is to snuff a little water up the nostrils allowing it to run down the passage into the throat, from thence it may be ejected through the mouth.

Some Hindu yogis immerse the face in a bowl of water, and by a sort of suction draw in quite a quantity of water, but this latter method requires considerable practice, and the first mentioned method is equally efficacious, and much more easily performed.”

“A writer has stated that if the air cells of the lungs were spread out over an unbroken surface, they would cover an area of fourteen thousand square feet.”

“Another good plan is to open the window and breathe freely, closing one nostril with the finger or thumb, sniffing up the air through the open nostril.

Then repeat the process on the other nostril. Repeat several times, changing nostrils. This method will usually clear the nostrils of obstructions.”

“Breath is life.”

“From the first faint breath of the infant to the last gasp of the dying man, it is one long story of continued breathing. Life is but a series of breaths.”

“He knows that by rhythmical breathing one may bring himself into harmonious vibration with nature, and aid in the unfoldment of his latent powers.

He knows that by controlled breathing he may not only cure disease in himself and others, but also practically do away with fear and worry and the baser emotions.”

“High Breathing is probably the worst form of breathing known to man and requires the greatest expenditure of energy with the smallest amount of benefit.

It is an energy-wasting, poor-returns plan. It is quite common among the Western races, many women being addicted to It, and even singers, clergymen, lawyers and others, who should know better, using it ignorantly.”

“No animal, excepting man, sleeps with the mouth open or breathes through the mouth, and in fact it is believed that it is only civilized man who so perverts nature's functions, as the savage and barbarian races almost invariably breathe correctly.

It is probable that this unnatural habit among civilized men has been acquired through unnatural methods of living, enervating luxuries and excessive warmth.”

“Nothing is permanent in the world of forms, and yet the great Reality is unchangeable.

Forms are but appearances — they come, they go, but the Reality is eternal and unchangeable.”

“The atoms of the human body are in constant vibration. Unceasing changes are occurring.

In a few months there is almost a complete change in the matter composing the body, and scarcely a single atom now composing your body will be found in It a few months hence. Vibration, constant vibration.

Change, constant change.”

“The breathing mechanism of Man is so constructed that he may breathe either through the mouth or nasal tubes, but it is a matter of vital importance to him which method he follows, as one brings health and strength and the other disease and weakness.”

“The man who breathes through the mouth at night, always awakens with a parched feeling in the mouth and a dryness in the throat.

He is violating one of nature’s laws, and is sowing the seeds of disease.”

“The percentage of civilized men who breathe correctly is quite small, and the result is shown in contracted chests and stooping shoulders, and the terrible increase in diseases of the respiratory organs, including that dread monster, Consumption, 'the white scourge'.

Eminent authorities have stated that one generation of correct breathers would regenerate the race, and disease would be so rare as to be looked upon as a curiosity.

Whether looked at from the standpoint of the Oriental or Occidental, the connection between correct breathing and health is readily seen and explained.”

“The Yogi practices exercises by which he attains control of his body, and is enabled to send to any organ or part an increased flow of vital force or 'prana', thereby strengthening and invigorating the part or organ.

He knows all that his Western scientific brother knows about the physiological effect of correct breathing, but he also knows that the air contains more than oxygen and hydrogen and nitrogen, and that something more is accomplished than the mere oxygenating of the blood.

He knows something about 'prana', of which his Western brother is ignorant, and he is fully aware of the nature and manner of handling that great principle of energy, and is fully informed as to its effect upon the human body and mind.

He knows that by rhythmical breathing one may bring himself into harmonious vibration with nature, and aid in the unfoldment of his latent powers.

He knows that by controlled breathing he may not only cure disease in himself and others, but also practically do away with fear and worry and the baser emotions.”

“The Yogi's ideal is a body strong in all its parts, under the control of a masterful and developed Will, animated by high ideals.”