Kokyu Ryoku (Breath Power)

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[aikido_fudoshin]

How can I develop breath power in my Aikido practice? I realize we use it to help the flow of our movements, relieve stress, and increase concentration, but how can I use it in the various Aikido techniques to develop these things? Are there any other benefits of this practice? Are there any exercises to help me increase my breath power?

[daedalus]

Breath deeply into your center. The general rule of thumb that I've noticed (which could be completely wrong) is that when being expansive (atemi, the actual throw of a technique, applying a joint lock, etc.) exhale. When contracting inhale. Then ask your sensei to see if I'm wrong. ;^)

Other exercises might include meditation/ki breathing and the like.

[Abasan]

I think, the rowing exercise is one way of learning breath power. Its a dynamic form anyway... as opposed to just rhythmic breathing. i like to think that the ki society's deep breathing meditation works as well...

[Jim23]

Originally posted by aikido_fudoshin
How can I develop breath power in my Aikido practice? I realize we use it to help the flow of our movements, relieve stress, and increase concentration, but how can I use it in the various Aikido techniques to develop these things? Are there any other benefits of this practice? Are there any exercises to help me increase my breath power?
Kokyu-ryoku? Focus on the basics, the basics, the basics. Over and over again. Did I say that already?;)

Jim23

[SeiserL]

Agreed, go to basics. Do your movements slow and relaxed keeping proper alignment. Breath in as you enter and blend, out as you execute the waza. Breath for the diaphram. Enjoy yourself. Power comes with practice.

Until again,

Lynn
Nidan Tenshinkai Aikido
Lucaylucay Kali JKD

[Bruce Baker]

There is a simple way to explain the benefits of proper breathing. If you expell breath when lifting or in pulling an oar you get a better result with breathing out than breathing in.

Kind of like breathing in when you get poked in the stomach, you absorb the power when breathing out, but lose your breath if you are breathing in.

Same principle in weightlifting, exercising, and in Aikido too. Your strength and power increase when breathing out, even if it is a very small breath, it still increases your body strength.

Of course, there are other thoughts on co-ordinating your breath to your body movements, such as Hohan Soken teaching American service men to take two short breaths in and two short breaths out when running? When he was in his seventies, he still could run ten miles in Okinawa with marines and not be out of breath, unlike the younger Marines.

Breath power? Yup.

Practice, a little help from others, and time will help you to find your own Breath Power.

Don't be a hurry. It will happen.

[Edward]

How about kokyu ho, kokyu nage and their so many variants? They are based on breath power and by practicing them you obviously develop it.