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dps 03-15-2008 03:58 AM

Breathing During Technique
 
As tori, how do you breathe during the execution of a technique?

As uke, how do you breathe during the receiving of a technique?

David

Kevin Leavitt 03-15-2008 07:47 AM

Re: Breathing During Technique
 
I suppose it depends on where in the process you are talking about.

Receiving Energy, storing, gathering...whatever...I am usually breathing in.

Releasing, returning...breathing out.

Mark Uttech 03-16-2008 01:47 AM

Re: Breathing During Technique
 
Breathe in when raising the arms; breathe out when lowering them. Breathe out when executing a strike, breathe out when receiving a strike. It helps to slow practice down and study this.

In gassho,

Mark

Rafael Martinez 03-16-2008 05:23 AM

Re: Breathing During Technique
 
I trained in a style of karate which strictly regulated breathing and found it to be very effective. I am sure most readers with experience in breathing techniques will have a lot of technical advice regarding this.
In my studies of aikido I was advised to simply relax and the breathing will take care of itself. Surprisingly I found this to be the best advice. The key being to relax. Keep in mind the ability to relax during intense physical or psychological stress is not easy. But, if you can manage it you will find the breathing comes naturally. I know this advice seems simplistic but I think it is worth studying.

Kevin Leavitt 03-16-2008 07:55 AM

Re: Breathing During Technique
 
As I have learned, even more so in the last few months, there is alot more to breathing than just the basics we have discussed here. If you follow the internal martial arts threads here.... a great deal of that discussion centers around the connection between movement, breathing, the environment around you.

all those exercises we do in aikido (or are supposed to do), are designed to help us do this better.

While the basics are covered above....I think it is a life long study getting it correct.

Stefan Stenudd 03-18-2008 03:36 PM

Breathing first
 
Quote:

Kevin Leavitt wrote: (Post 201773)
Receiving Energy, storing, gathering...whatever...I am usually breathing in.
Releasing, returning...breathing out.

That's precisely how I see it, too. And the breathing has to be done with your center.

Another thing with breathing: You will improve significantly, if you start your breathing before you start moving your body. For example, start exhaling before you strike or throw or pin.
The breathing should feel like it is what actually performs the technique, while the arms merely follow.

John Matsushima 03-19-2008 08:32 AM

Re: Breathing During Technique
 
As tori: naturally.

As uke: naturally.

Nothing special.

Walter Martindale 03-19-2008 02:00 PM

Re: Breathing During Technique
 
this might seem a little facetious, but...
Breathe In - contract the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, increasing the size of the chest cavity. This causes a decrease in the pressure in the very thin layer of fluid between the rib cage and the lungs, which causes the lungs to expand. Lungs expanding causes a decrease in air pressure within the lungs, which causes air to rush from the higher pressure (outside the person) to the lower pressure (inside the person).
Breathe Out - reverse of the above.

The body has some very sophisticated mechanisms that respond to movement, carbon dioxide in the blood, and a whole lot of other things to regulate breathing - the trick is letting the body do its job.

"Naturally" as others have remarked
W.

Adman 03-19-2008 03:36 PM

Re: Breathing During Technique
 
Quote:

Mark Uttech wrote: (Post 201801)
Breathe in when raising the arms; breathe out when lowering them.

Interesting. This is something I'm working on. Although, I have no idea if we're talking about it in the same way. I'm using the breath (the inhale) as a tool to help inititiate internal pressure, that powers the raising of the arms. And I'm not talking about the oxygen. ;) The exhale and gravity lowers the arms (kokyu anyone?). These are not overt cycles. My goal is a very calm or imperceptible breath, and to always use the legs.

Oh well, give me a few more years ...

dps 03-20-2008 11:10 AM

Re: Breathing During Technique
 
An early sensei of mine taught me to inhale quickly and deeply through the nose as uke attacks (breath in uke) and exhale slower and evenly through the mouth during the execution of the technique (exhale uke).
This helps perform the technique smoothly and powerfully.

David


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