The Second Basic Breath
THE VITALIZING BREATH
The Vitalizing Breath is the next Basic Breath to be learned and practiced after you have learned the Harmonic Breath, and before going on to other Breaths.  This Breath is very important to the health and Vital Energy of every person.  It is the proper way to breathe to receive the most Prana from the air. 

In order to accomplish the Vitalizing Breath, all three parts of our lungs...the lower, middle and upper...must be filled.  Fill the lungs as in filling a glass of water - from the bottom up.  As water goes to the bottom of the glass first, so must the air go to the bottom of the lungs first.  The lungs are then emptied as a glass of water...from the top down.



INSTRUCTIONS


1.  Sit or stand erect and relaxed.

2. Inhale as much air as possible through the nostrils, drawing it down into the the lower lung just above the diaphragm in a continual flow of incoming air.  The entire inhalation should be a smooth, even intake of air into the lungs without any stops or jerks.

3.  Fill the middle lung, expanding the rib cage as much as possible without straining.  At the completion of the inhalation the mid-section should be drawn in a little while holding the Breath.

4.  Fill the upper lung.

5.  At the end of the Breath lift the shoulders a little and take one last gasp of air into the lungs.

6.  Hold the Breath for a few counts but do not become uncomfortable.

7.  Exhale through the mouth with the lips pursed slightly.  Do not blow the air out forcefully.  This step is especially important as it sets up resistance to the exhalation which enables energizing of the Physical Body and the storage of Prana in the Subtle Bodies.