FORMS AND BREATHING

 by Phillip Starr

This is something that many martial arts devotees, including instructors, often overlook. But it's important...in fact, it's crucial to performing a given form correctly. When you inhale, your reaction time is slowed by more than half and your body has little resistance to incoming blows. You're vulnerable. We all know that we can move much faster and deliver more powerful blows when we're exhaling, and we're able to withstand incoming blows. And this should be demonstrated and regularly practiced in your forms.

It will change the rhythm of your forms. It isn't as easy to do as it sounds, believe me. But it'll make the practice of your forms more realistic and much less robotic. It's how they SHOULD be done. But first we need to dissect your form(s)...

Each form is broken into “segments”, which are defined as the engagement between you and a single opponent. Many segments are very short, consisting of just one or two movements. Others are a bit longer. Identify the segments of your form, then practice each one individually with the correct breathing. When you've done that with each segment, put them all back together...so they make your form whole again. This may take some time and it'll certainly require a good deal of practice.

Now, what do you do with each segment? You treat it and perform as if you were really engaged in a life-and-death fight with a nasty opponent. Each segment should be performed in a single breath. You do not stop and inhale between movements, which would leave you very vulnerable for a moment and provide the enemy with a window of opportunity. Inhalation occurs in between segments and it must be done quickly...with a kind of “sniff.”

You mustn't lengthen your exhalation to accommodate your techniques! You must exhale as quickly as possible and fit your techniques into that small space. Like I said...it's going to take some practice! It will dramatically change the usual 4-beat rhythm of your form (which is how most practitioners perform their sets) and enable you to visualize your opponents more clearly. So pull out the sweat towel and get to work!