Breathing

Breathing is the most constant interaction the internal organs have with the outside environment. Only a few minutes without air and a person will become unconscious. Needless to say, breathing is a primal need for living. It regulates the intake of oxygen that feeds the cells in the body. Long deep breaths are healthy because they also regulate the internal organs, brain, and emotions. Breathing has another critical function other than the intake of oxygen and outtake of carbon dioxide: it regulates the flow of qi in the body. The deeper the breath, the greater the circulation of qi and oxygen for the body.

The breathing technique that we do at the Academy is called “reverse breathing”. It is different from yoga breathing and singing or wind instrument breathing. Instead of inhaling by expanding the lungs and chest, and letting the gut push out, breathe in the opposite way. Focus on the chest remaining relaxed, concentrate on the lower abdomen. While inhaling, contract the lower abdomen inward and upward. And each exhale the lower abdomen will push out. This kind of breathing helps with the flow of qi through the meridians.

Taking deep, long, controlled breaths using reverse breathing allows oxygen to fill the lungs more than ordinary deep breathing even though the chest does not move. Many practitioners have the goal to take two breaths each minute during a prolonged meditation. By regulating the breathing, more oxygen will be distributed more effectively throughout the body, and the brain. This will keep the brain healthy and more alert letting you make better decisions with a calm mind.

Controlled breathing will allow you to control the qi and you will eventually be able to push it wherever you desire. The rule of thumb for breathing and moving qi is quite simple. Inhaling brings the qi in, and exhaling pushes the qi out. It is similar to push ups. When pushing up, it is best to exhale, and when going down it is best to inhale. Inhaling and exhaling guides the qi through the body.

Regulating your breath will also regulate your heart rate. It is common knowledge that when someone is emotional, the heart is adversely affected: “(s)he broke my heart”, “I love you with all my heart”, “don’t get too upset, you have a bad heart”, “I got so startled, my heart skipped a beat”. Good breathing techniques calm the heart, and in doing so, the whole person: mentally and physically. I suggest that the next time you get upset, take a minute and focus on your breathing, regulate it so the time of inhale and exhale are the same. You will calm down fairly quickly.

Reverse breathing has another benefit which is very important to martial artists. This kind of breathing allows qi to build up around the internal organs. This means that a cushion of qi will protect the organs from harm. (This takes long training with a master to have a profound effect.) Therefore, when an outside force hits the upper body, the cushion of qi will protect them, and damage to the organs will be minimized. It will also protect the limbs from harm by guiding the qi to the exterior of the body. The training exercises are vital to hard qi gong, which focuses on the constant hitting of the body to build up resistance to attacks. Again, this should be done only with a knowledgeable teacher, or you can do serious damage to yourself.

Also for martial artist is the regulation of the mind.  Martial artists must learn to breathe so during a fight they can remain calm.  Breathing calms nervousness, anxiousness and fear (this link will take you to the Scientific Research page with videos about the brain and fear).  It won't make them disappear, but it will make these emotions managable. See the clip from "The Forbidden Kingdom".