(2 posts)
Nov 29, 2009 5:58 pm
Breathing in Aikido
Could someone address the function of breathing in Aikido technique? For example, what would be an ideal breathing pattern during the walking kata?Thanks!
David Ooley
Breathing in Aikido
Started by David Ooley · Nov 29, 2009 · 7 posts
Thanks!
David Ooley
(1808 posts)
Nov 29, 2009 6:37 pm
I usually just breathe and don't worry about it too much. If I focus on breathing, I tend to do exhale on the odd numbered count and inhale on the even numbers as we come back to the starting position. Just my $0.02.
(260 posts)
Nov 29, 2009 7:16 pm
I'm usually inhaling on the rise and exhaling on the fall. Other than that, I really don't pay that much attention. I think the main thing is stay calm and maintain a steady breathing pattern.
(368 posts)
Nov 30, 2009 9:14 am
Right, the body has a tendency to know how to breath at the right moments if you let it. It's actually kind of difficult to breath IN while you're pushing, for example (it's less obvious in the walk, but more obvious if you try to push something heavy). The body naturally exhales.
That being said, I think many us need to think more about how we breath, as opposed to when we breath. I'm finding that I've been in a bad habit for years of breathing very shallow (using only the uppers lungs), but the more I look into meditation I'm learning to take fuller, deeper breaths (using the bottom of the lungs more). I think that sort of breathing will carry over, then, into everything else.
That being said, I think many us need to think more about how we breath, as opposed to when we breath. I'm finding that I've been in a bad habit for years of breathing very shallow (using only the uppers lungs), but the more I look into meditation I'm learning to take fuller, deeper breaths (using the bottom of the lungs more). I think that sort of breathing will carry over, then, into everything else.
(106 posts)
Nov 30, 2009 1:09 pm
As I recall Charles Clark sensei said by counting the walk, it will teach you the breathing.
I buy the idea of breathing on the rise and fall, but I try never to rise when doing the kata. From what I have seen most other groups have a bouncier walk than I try to practice. I tend to breath out in expanding motions and inhale on the contractions.
A mini lesson I got from the best player I have ever touched, Stan Conner was to watch the breathing of your opponent. He used to execute throws when a person is breathing in. They are less capable of exerting energy and are usually at a slight rise. I have not been able to do it yet, but that lesson is filed away for future practice.
I buy the idea of breathing on the rise and fall, but I try never to rise when doing the kata. From what I have seen most other groups have a bouncier walk than I try to practice. I tend to breath out in expanding motions and inhale on the contractions.
A mini lesson I got from the best player I have ever touched, Stan Conner was to watch the breathing of your opponent. He used to execute throws when a person is breathing in. They are less capable of exerting energy and are usually at a slight rise. I have not been able to do it yet, but that lesson is filed away for future practice.
(1808 posts)
Nov 30, 2009 1:36 pm
You're on the money Eric. One of the best Judo technicians I know (Moose) said that you can throw based on inhale (natural body rise) or exhale (natural body drop). Likewise, when the eyes close your weight shifts forward, and when they open it rocks backward.
I too try to minimize the up/down... well, everywhere. I think it was Kitty who was talking about doing the walk in a swimming pool. Go deep enough that your nose is almost in the water, then walk. If you step too large, you're getting water in your nose. Water also amplifies the feelings of the walk.
I too try to minimize the up/down... well, everywhere. I think it was Kitty who was talking about doing the walk in a swimming pool. Go deep enough that your nose is almost in the water, then walk. If you step too large, you're getting water in your nose. Water also amplifies the feelings of the walk.
(134 posts)
Dec 1, 2009 2:25 pm
Eric Pearson said:
I notice a lot of variation in when people count. I've seen people count and then move, and I've seen them count at the end of the step, almost as an afterthought. I found that hard to follow in group, since everyone has to start moving well before the count. In the count-as-kiai, you still have to start moving first (eg, move the hand around and into center, then kiai in the middle of the step when you would make contact).
I've heard good things about Conner shihan. Working with him apparently caused Chuck Clark to rethink and reformulate the entire system of how he was applying principles in Aikido.
As I recall Charles Clark sensei said by counting the walk, it will teach you the breathing.When walking I always try to count at the moment of contact, or when contact would occur in application. That way when I exhale the timing is the same as it would be for kiai. The end of the syllable corresponds to the stopping of breath at the end of kiai, which tightens the diaphragm and creates solid connection between the abdomen and hips.
I notice a lot of variation in when people count. I've seen people count and then move, and I've seen them count at the end of the step, almost as an afterthought. I found that hard to follow in group, since everyone has to start moving well before the count. In the count-as-kiai, you still have to start moving first (eg, move the hand around and into center, then kiai in the middle of the step when you would make contact).
I've heard good things about Conner shihan. Working with him apparently caused Chuck Clark to rethink and reformulate the entire system of how he was applying principles in Aikido.