Take a breath!

Ok, I've seen it again!

It's really strange how after a year or two of practice we seem to be able to enjoy the physical activity of training for hours on end. Yet when it comes time to test, or demo technique, some people will all but pass out due to either forgetting to breath or breathing so hard they hyperventilate.

So, I thought it would interesting to hear how some of you more advanced instructors impart the importance of synchronizing breath with movement upon your students. What kind of training will assist students in this situation? ( pant, pant )


Regards,

Dan Pokorny

I'm no advanced student, but I have witnessed sensei, many times in class, work with an uke who is forgetting to breathe, and sensei will say loudly, "breathe", in the middle of the technique (or pin). This wakes the uke up, and the rest of us sitting on the sideline can actually hear uke's breath recover.

Kristina

I like to do ibuki breathing before any practice, whether it's before I leave or after bowing in, or after bowing out, anytime. Even better is watching my shihan and sensei do it- they have incredible command of their breath and breathing, and though they sweat bullets, can usually keep from getting winded.

-Nick

I'm sure you do what's known as "kokyu dosa" (in the Aikikai curriculum, any way) at your dojo, Dan. It's a very important exercise in coordinating your breath with your movements.

If you get the chance and if you haven't done so already, you should ask Dennis about his thoughts on breathing. He's definitely an expert in that field in my mind.

-- Jun

akiy wrote: I'm sure you do what's known as "kokyu dosa" (in the Aikikai curriculum, any way) at your dojo, Dan. It's a very important exercise in coordinating your breath with your movements. If you get the chance and if you haven't done so already, you should ask Dennis about his thoughts on breathing. He's definitely an expert in that field in my mind. -- Jun

Jun,

Yes indeed! Hooker sensei has trained us in breathing, and I do the exercises a lot, however it seems that some students either forget or don't think it's important until test or demo time, then they're sucking wind big time!

I know the exercises we do work very well for me anyway, I'm just interested in other breathing techniques/exercises that people may be having success with as well......

Regards,

Dan Pokorny

I think the best way to get better at something is by practicing it.

If you're feeling out of breath during prolonged physical tests like randori with multiple attackers, I'd say go out and practice it while working on your brath. Start slowly and build your way up. I'm sure that just fifteen minutes after class every day with a few other people will undoubtedly show a difference some day...

-- Jun

My favorites are the one's who do kokyu dosa as a breath practice. They take this deep in breath then pour forth with (sometimes very funky) breath, as if the act of breathing with force will somehow move a 300# bucket of flesh.

Somehow it always seems to be the ones who eat only cabbage and broccoli dipped in garlic sauce who work this practice most extensively.