| p>This is a quick article that will give you some basic | | | | abdomen, ribs or chest; sink down with your |
| breathing tricks to relax your mind (even while | | | | shoulders, press your stomach muscles out and |
| driving), and to put breath work to use in your | | | | tighten your body as hard as you can while letting |
| martial arts training. | | | | out a little "hiss" of breath. This split second of |
| Breathing is obviously critical to sustaining life, but | | | | tightness is all you need against an attacker. Too |
| focused breath work can also center and relax your | | | | many people make the mistake of trying to stay |
| mind during times of stress, as well as provide | | | | tight all the time and end up wasting valuable energy. |
| tremendous amounts of power when you need it. | | | | 4. Practice breathing exercise before you begin your |
| Here are a few tips that you can use to add breath | | | | days training sessions. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly |
| work to your daily life as well as martial arts | | | | while punching your hands out in front of you. Let |
| conditioning: | | | | out all of the air that you can, and when your arms |
| 1. Multiple times per day, focus on your breathing for | | | | are fully extended, palms pushing out, give one more |
| just 3 deep breaths. This will "center" your mind. This | | | | push to let that last bit of air out. Repeat this 10-30 |
| does not have to be a dedicated meditation session | | | | times. It can be very relaxing. |
| or anything near that. All you need is 4-5 seconds of | | | | 5. When you are training using a bag or makiwara |
| spare time to only focus on your breathing and | | | | board, you should practice breath work at the |
| nothing else. You can do this at the office, in the car, | | | | moment of impact. Let this small amount of air out |
| on the bus, before bed, while cooking dinner, | | | | as you make contact with the makiwara, just like |
| anywhere. You will be amazed at how refreshed you | | | | you did in step 4. This will really tighten your |
| feel after this little exercise. | | | | abdomen and increase your breath capacity. |
| 2. Make sure you are breathing when you work out. | | | | Breath work can be a very integral part of your well |
| Do not hold your breath at the critical times when | | | | being and it wont cost you a dime, or any extra time |
| your brain and muscles need oxygen the most. | | | | in your busy day. I highly recommend trying it and |
| 3. When defending yourself against a punch to the | | | | sticking with it. You will be amazed at the results. |