It is often said breath is life. How true this is, for deprived of oxygen we quickly expire. Yet most of us pay little if any attention to this vital function of life. Many people believe that breathing is a natural function of our physical body and as such requires no conscious attention on our part. Breathing is a natural function that is true. However, many people concerned about pollution levels, especially in our major cities, perhaps feel it is better not to breathe deeply. This thinking is understandable but not advisable. A car cannot run without fuel, and air is a major fuel to the efficient functioning of the physical and mental processes.

Oxygen is the key to energy and to deny it to our system is akin to asking our car to run without fuel. So to enable your system to work well you must breathe well to supply it with the fuel to do the job. So if you live in a big city get out in the park near trees and water as often as possible, or to any open space you can. Learn to breathe deeply indoors or out.  Give your system the fuel it needs to work efficiently.

Another problem of modern life is that most of us live surrounded by stress and pressure to perform. Form an early age most of us stop breathing naturally as the chaos of modern life takes its toll, stripping away the gentle calm of our child’s mind and whipping it into a frenzy of urgent adult tasks to perform. This preoccupation with the mental functions raises the breath into the chest and increases the speed with which we take in air; mostly in quick short gasps. We breathe faster, move faster, and often we delude ourselves that because of this we accomplish more. My Grandmother, use to say to me when I rushed about in a frantic race to do something, more often than not getting into a muddle in the process ‘More speed less haste’. At the tender age of eight it meant little and really only served to irritate me. However, now a little older, and dare I say a little wiser, I reflect on those words of wisdom from time to time. Usually when I notice myself moving at a pace beyond my ability to keep control of my life.

In this process of trying to control myself, and therefore my life, I find the practise of one or two breathing exercises at the start of the day extremely useful, mainly because I find this calms and invigorates my mind. Whatever the day may bring, I find I am able to cope with it better, by having started the day in this way.

Watch a small child; see how they breathe into their abdomens. As they lay resting you can plainly see their small tummies rise and fall as they breathe, the same is true of animals. This is the natural way to breathe, the Yang breath, which nourishes the spirit, calming the mind and therefore relaxing the body. Of course Yin breathing has it's place, too, by attracting energy to the brain. However, this method of breathing is all to prevalent today, causing too much energy to accumulate in the brain over stimulating it. This has a tendency to overexcite the nervous system, feeding the ego and separating the mind from the spirit.

The ancient Taoists learnt that for increased vitality and freedom from disease good habits of breathing must be formed. They knew that poor breathing reduces our vitality and opens the door to disease.

Man in his natural state, like many indigenous peoples around the world, need no instruction in breathing. For like animals and the child they breathe naturally and properly as nature intended. Civilisation has produced many changes. We have developed improper ways of walking, standing and sitting. These learned poor habits have robbed us of our natural ability to breathe correctly. Most of us need to re-educate ourselves to breathe properly again. The uncivilized people living close to nature today breathe naturally, whilst modern man moves about his business for the most part with a contracted chest and stooped shoulders. These poor habits have brought with them a terrible increase in diseases of the respiratory organs, and a reduced ability to deal with stress.

The Chinese health arts place great importance on correct breathing. The ancient Chinese learnt that not only is physical benefit derived from good breathing habits but also our mental powers, clear sightedness, self-control, and even our happiness is affected. They also learnt that our spiritual growth can be increased by understanding the science of breathing.

Of course most peoples busy lifestyles do not allow the in-depth study of the subject of the T’ai Chi and Martial arts experts. Would you be surprised to learn that only a few minutes a day will make a vast improvement to your general well-being? Well its true! Your health can be enhanced in leaps and bounds. However, this is not a quick fix ‘but a little and often’, this little and often is what gives long term improvement. Developing good habits of breathing doesn’t take long. Practise the recommendations in this course for just 30 days and that’s it. After 30 days you will have created a good habit that is easy to keep up. You will have become accustomed to this new routine and it will be as natural as your morning ablutions. Which is great because it is just as necessary for your personal hygiene, only this one is internal.

The Chinese Masters know what the Western scientists know of the phases of breathing. They know the air contains oxygen that vitalizes the blood etc. They also know something the Western scientists are only now, slowly, coming to understand. The oriental school of thought accepts his Western brothers theories and facts. These have been known for centuries. The orient has much to add that his Western brothers do not accept at the moment. They will discover these things in time, like they now accept acupuncture as valid. When they discover what the Masters of the East know they will rename it and present it to the world as a great truth.

The ancient cultures know that an energy the Chinese call Chi permeates the physical system. The adept in the science of breath knows the effect of this intrinsic energy on his body and mind. A master using breathing techniques brings himself into harmony with nature and unfolds his latent powers. He knows that by controlled breathing he can ease disease within himself and practically do away with fear, worry and the baser emotions.

This course like all the publications from East - West Publications concern themselves with the practice of these arts and the benefits to be gained. These are available to anyone with enough wisdom to practise for a few minutes a day. It is not our intention to engage in intellectual discussion but to lead seekers of good health to an awareness of the process from a tactile point of view. A hands on view, a knowledge through participation. We want you to feel the renewed vigour. To know the true health benefits because you experience them, because you made the effort

In the DVD/Video Master Howard Gibbon guides you through all stages of each movement. The thorough and detailed instructions bring the relaxation and health benefits of the Secret Island breathing exercises to you, whenever you choose. The DVD/video and manual below are of the same 24 breathing exercises, some people prefer one format or the other, and some like to have both.

If you suffer from any respiratory disorder or heart trouble or are unsure if you are healthy enough for this program we recommend you check with your doctor first.