JOHN CONNELL

Breathing Exercise

            There is no secret to longevity or good health

: just Breathing.

            Doing this:

            As the old breathing-doctor has instructed: he stood hidden in the trees, arms stretched out stiff to the sides, left hand palm up, right turned down; his feet were as far apart as the width of his shoulders; knees slightly flexed. This opened his chest and straightened his back. He looked where sunlight flew like pollen thru the tamarisk tree.

            Breathe in deep up yr nose and expel thru mouth. Doing this, he said: let it go     take up bee buzz, let it go      take in this big world the sky bullnosed cloud thunder greenfly creekfall darning needle dog twisting limbs smooth trunk, let it go—     Thus he ate the world and expelled it each moment.

new- go

old- go     gradual gradual, suddenly.

            The old man had a sitting down exercise also, but I have forgotten it.

            Hold your arms out full until they get so tired you can’t do it any more: that is how you should do this exercise each time. When the arm-fatigue gets to you, put your hands together above your head. Then let your arms fall and relax. Walk away. That is all.