For a long time, I have been trying to tie kata with breathing and meditation techniques. A few weeks ago, I was doing kata at home and stumbled upon something that I don’t remember doing. Before each move of the kata, I took a very deep breath and then, like always, exhaled when I completed the move.
For example, in Heian Shodan, when in the ready stance, take a deep breath, then downward block, exhale and hold the movement. From there, take in a another deep breath, step forward, punch and exhale. Before each move of the kata, you take in a deep breath and then exhale as you complete the movement.
I did 10 katas this way and noticed that my moves were more relaxed, I was more mindful of each move, the moves felt as powerful as always and the pace of the kata was slowed down a great amount.
Now, I wouldn’t suggest doing this at your next tournament but training this way brings another way to add some variety to your kata training and allows you to get some deep breathing in at the same time.
Please leave me a comment and let me know if you have done this before and what your results were.
Yes I have tried it and it helps to concentrate, you become sort of more grounded and afterwords I feal like I trained better. It is nice to share experience so thanks.
Hi Denis,
Thanks for sharing your experience too. I feel like I am doing Shotokan Tai Chi when doing the breathing katas. It calms my mind and body but it also makes me feel energized when I am done.
Doug
Interesting. It does make a difference.
We must always remember that a human being can live without days or even months without food or drink. But he can’t last a second without breathing. Without the breathing exercise in any martial art, there can be no internal strength. Breathing is the source of which we get our strength from, and we must also understand that the breathing exercise is the cornerstone of any martial art. It is easy but must be practiced everyday. Here it goes :
1) Assume a form or stance which you know.
2) Secondly, inhale slowly until the air is fully loaded in your tummy.
3)Thirdly, exhale slowly with your movement,( in this case we will be concentrating on the normal straight punch and the normal front kick.)
4) As you exhale slowly with your movement make sure that the air leaves your stomache, until it is completely flat. As you perform your movement slowly with your exhalation of your breath,imagine that you are moving against tremendous heavy resistance against your movements.
5) Once you have finished, inhale slowly again and repeat the process. (Remember to breath from your stomache, and NOT from your chest, also remember to strain every muscle as though you are moving against heavy resistance when you exhale.)(Note : If a swimming pool is available, practice your kata or forms in it with the breathing exercise which I have prescribed. If not imagine as though you are moving through heavy resistance, and remember to strain every muscle.)
This is my breathing exercise routine. You can also refer to the breathing exercises of various martial arts. I would strongly recommend Tai-Chi, Hsing-I, Pakua, Shotokan Karate, Shaolin, Chinese Wushu( any style). (Note : Do not limit yourself to the martial arts prescribed here. Search for others and have an open mind).