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Old 06-15-2011, 08:56 AM   #23
HL1978
Dojo: Aunkai
Location: Fairfax, VA
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 429
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Re: "Baseline Parameters for Internal Strength"

Quote:
Mike Sigman wrote: View Post
The actual breathing techniques are the hardest thing to find information on (in completeness). That starter example I gave is still, IMO, very good *as a starter*. As I said, I was just trying to lay out the defining pieces on the board so that people would have a clearer idea what the game is. It gives them something to know if/when they begin to go look for a knowledgeable teacher and thus it will save them time.
Funny you say that Mike.

I was at an iaido seminar last week, and the instructor for the seminar was the head of the All Japan Kendo Federation iaido committee.

He commented, "Kokyu is easy." He then spent 30 seconds describing how to do a reverse breath and to exhale on the cuts. Never really said why you were doing it that way, or what benefits might result, or how to know if you are doing it right. On the otherhand, there was nothing that I could see where he was overtly utilizing breath to raise or lower the sword, but perhaps I need a more educated eye.
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