The Yogis teach that in order for our organs to function well, they must be properly nourished with oxygen-rich blood. The simplest way to do this is by breathing in a way they call: The Yogi Complete Breath.

You must fully get familiar with it, and master it perfectly until it becomes your natural method of breathing. These will require work, time and patience, but without these things, nothing is ever accomplished.

This complete breath is not forced or abnormal, but on the contrary, it is going back to the first principles of nature. The healthy child breathes in this way, but as we grow up, we adopt unnatural methods of living, working, sitting, etc. which affect the way we breathe.

The complete breath does not necessarily mean you have to fully fill up the lungs at every inhalation. You may inhale the average amount of air you usually do using the complete breathing method and distribute large or small amounts of air to all parts of the lungs. But you should try to inhale a series of full complete breaths several times a day in order to keep the system in good condition.

The following simple steps are what consist the complete breath:

1. Stand or sit with back straight. Breathing through the nostrils, inhale steadily, first filling the lower part of the lungs, which is accomplished by bringing into play the diaphragm, which descending puts a gentle pressure on the abdominal organs, pushing forward the front walls of the abdomen. Then fill the middle part of the lungs, pushing out the lower ribs, breast-bone and chest. Then fill the higher portion of the lungs, lifting the upper chest, including the upper six or seven pairs of ribs. In the final movement, the lower part of the abdomen will be slightly drawn in, which movement gives the lungs a support, and also helps to fill the highest part of the lungs.

Even though there are 3 steps for the inhalation, it should be continuous and steady. With practice, you will be able to complete it in a couple of seconds.

2. Retain the breath a few seconds.

3. Exhale slowly, holding the chest in a firm position, and drawing the abdomen in a little and lifting it upward slowly as the air leaves the lungs. When the air is entirely exhaled, relax the chest and abdomen. A little practice will make this part of the exercise easy, and you’ll be able to perform it almost automatically.

So there you have it, the Yogi Complete Breath. By this method, all parts of the respiratory system are brought into action and all part of the lungs, including the most remote areas. You will find it quite helpful if you practice this in front of a mirror, placing the hand slightly over your belly, so that you may feel the movements.

A little practice will make perfect and when you have made it a habit, you will never want to go back to your old breathing method.