It occurred to me during a fairly high energy combinations class today that my breathing techniques, or lack there of, were causing me all sorts of problems during my training, including blackouts, dizziness, lack of energy, loss of focus, and todays symptoms excessive hyperventilating.

It showed me (after a lengthy discussion with Sensei Grant) that my complete focus was on what i was doing and how i was doing it and was not at all directed towards breathing (either correctly or at all).

We discovered that what I was doing was taking a deep breath in and using that breath to exhale on 3 or maybe even 4 techniques before taking another breath, rather than breathing in when preparing and exhaling on each technique.

It showed me how important correct breathing is and also how difficult it can be to breathe correctly while focusing on techniques.

My point of this story??????

Make sure you breathe on every technique correctly.
Breathe in when preparing and breathe out on the strike/block/kick.



And it's about time i took my own advice before I turn blue and pass out myself...

Breathing, like anything else has to be practiced until it becomes habit.

I have done exercises in class at various times which focus on correct breathing and the strike/block/whatever is just an add-on.

Though I always try to teach beginners about breathing there are some who listen and some who don't. Those who don't have to be reminded later, often, and even up to a high grade.

Though there is something faintly amusing about a class of 20 or so kids all huffing away. Just watch out for the flying spit out the front.


Mick

Hi! My first post here on this chatgroup.

I once watched a little dude (WB) hold his breath for the entire count of ten, during hard and fast (front kick), at a grading - he turned a funny colour, started swaying back and forth and then pancaked face first on the floor of the dojo. Quite a shock to all watching!

Thought provoker: in Kata Sesan, you breathe out continuously for the triple punch - not three separate breaths!

In more recent days, I have realised that on a 1-2, block-punch combination, you can breathe out half way with the block (tensing at the right moment), and use the rest of the breath for the strike - it must be quick though!

catcha,

CraigL

Apart from the obvious that breathing is important in exercise is there any reason for the stress placed on it?
Must admit I still hold my breath too much.

Hi Rebecca,

I'm not claiming to be an expert on the subject but there are definitely different ways to breath which are appropriate in different circumstances. If you wanted it in a nutshell I'd say it was about focus. The way you breath, the depth, the speed and the timing all reflect the focus of your techniques.

Cheers
Shadow

Basically you breathe out as you execute a technique and breathe in in-between.
In some circumstances where you have two or three techniques to perform in rapid succession you breathe out on each without taking a breath between them, which means you divide your breathing between them.

Part of the significance is that it is very difficult to put any strength into a technique if you are breathing in at the time.

An exercise I have done with my class on a number of occasions is to get them to punch as hard as they can while 1) breathing in; 2) holding breath;and 3) breathing out.

You should find that your punch is weakest when breathing in and strongest when breathing out.


Mick

As an extra reason (and sometimes the most important if your blocks arent quick enough hehehe ) think about where we're taught to strike TO. A stomach level punch is actually aimed at the solar plexus (not the bit of gut that seems to hang over most of our belts ). Ever been hit in the solar plexus ? What happens ? Yep, being winded is NOT fun ... now, when you breathe OUT with your block, your empty your lungs ... and if your block misses, you arent winded - consequently you are more likely to be able to return the punch.

Basically, breathe out with your technique - or you wont be able to do a second technique :thumbwink:

Keep Smiling All .....

Jo

Something else you can do is think about keeping your stomach muscles (assuming you have some in there somwhere lol) tensed all the time.

Make it a habit.

Or just do it for fun.

Oh yes, after you have thought about it, give it a try.


Mick

I just blew the dust of a book I have: Okinawan Goju-Ryu, by Seikichi Toguchi (a disciple of Miyagi Chojun Sensei). Not a very big book, but on page 164, just before an explanation of Kata Sanchin, is an explanation on breathing.

And reads as follows:

The Five Techniques in the Breathing Method.

During execution of open hand forms, combat practise forms, matches and other activities, consider three important technical factors:
1. breathing.
2. movement of centre of gravity.
3. variation of techniques.

... Proper breathing is of the utmost importance whether one trains in the martial arts, the performing arts or athletics. Sanchin has its own unique, but nonetheless effective, method of breathing. Its value can be seen most clearly in a martial arts struggle where the ramifications of improper breathing can cost a fighter the match.

The Sanchin method of breathing may be broken down as follows:
1. long inhale, long exhale.
2. long inhale, short exhale.
3. short inhale, long exhale.
4. short inhale, short exhale.
5. hold breath - inhale and hold, exhale and hold.

Breathing exercises should be performed slowly and calmly, without forcing any movements. Also, it is important to remember to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. The student should use the sounds of inhaling and exhaling to coordinate his breathing with his physical executions. The mind will then focus itself and concentrate quite naturally.


I have seen too many people mangle the breathing in Kata Seinuchin. Also, if a student coordinates his breathing with his physical executions, then so can an opponent. Therefore, be aware of not breathing too loud, as it is another form of telegraphing (the way people mangle Kata Seinunchin!).

The book also explains a soft hold-breath and a hard hold-breath. Picture Saifa: first move, soft hold-breath; second move, hard hold-breath etc. Observe yourself: you do hold your breath in between breaths - if you don't need the breath at that time, you don't take the breath! Simple!

catcha,

Craig.

definately some words of wisdom there craig

unfortunately this is an area that i'm still struggling to get a grip on, let alone mastering it.

who knows
maybe one day i'll be able to get through an entire grading without gettig feeling the passing out effects creeping up on me

Hi CraigL

Only last week I went through breathing in saifa. And said something about learning the breathing pattern and using your breathing to guide your kata.


Mick

Sure Mick! Saifa is an excellent starting point.

Seiunchin is even more stringent in its breathing application. I perfrom Seiunchin and for the first few moments, someone watching me (versus the others performing it at the same time) would think I'm not putting in any effort - THEN WHAM!! Kake Uke - Nukite! The change in emphasis should feel (and appear) strikingly different.

One way to think of it - breathing seems to control mood/emotion in the Kata. If you think about that further, the Yellow Pages advertisement on the TV is a classic, "Breath deeply, count to 10. 1, 2, 3...Not happy, Jan!!" If you're stressed, surprised etc, you take a deep breath and relax.

Craig.

Sure. The reason I chose saifa is cos all but a couple of my students know saifa, whereas less of them know or even recognise higher kata.

And it's also a good place to start for those who have reached the point where they think they know saifa and are getting bored with it.

Just goes to show by doing the breathing and some applications how much more there is to a kata than just learning the pattern, I'm sure you'll agree.


Mick

LOL... Had to laugh at this one! It wasn't until my last grading that I realised I hold my breath while kicking! Well, I don't exactly - I breathe in fast and then hold it until the foot would connect, before breathing out again. As a habit of two years or so, it is proving hard to break!

yes well... i'm beginning to breathe properly and not fainting or turning blue anymore...