BruceP
01-21-2004, 09:35 AM
I wasn't really sure where to post this.
I noticed a Performance Breathing module has been added to the RMAX lineup and was wondering if there is anything in the offing which addresses the effects different sounds have when they're coupled with breath?
My TCC training included this study and looked at how the 4 main Tai Chi chi-kung breathing methods affect the overall energy-management under various levels of performance demand, and how making different sounds emphaiszes inhalation/exhalation for more efficient energy-management.
We all know that tension caused by adrenaline, perceived effort, or 'pressure to perform', accumulates in the shoulders. This raises the energy, and in Tai Chi theory, raised energy compromises the integrity of one's root/base. If the root is compromised, everything else is.
One method I use to have people demonstrate this idea on themselves is to have them hit a heavy-bag with a straight-blast from a square stance, and land each hit at face-height or higher. I tell them I want to see how much strength they have in their back and hips so there's no suggested internal dialogue when they go to setting their mind to the task. They're supposed to go as as fast and as long as they can and invariably, the first time they try it, they replicate the basic perception patterns/self-induced expectations they would have under real stress.Their tension rises into their shoulders and their feet get very light as they continue hitting the bag. They're then shown how to make a sound like "IIIiiisshhh" out the mouth each time they hit. This sound expands the lower abdomen and sinks the energy - preventing it from gathering as tension in the shoulders.
Likewise, when hitting down between chest-height and navel, breathing "hhhnnNN" out the nose or "uuSSS" out the mouth keeps the energy coalescent in the middle torso and allows for greater energy-transfer into the bag.
The purpose of those exercises is just to get them feeling where their energy is and give them a starting point from which to explore the different breathing methods.
I organize the 4 main breathing methods as either "maintanance" or "recovery" breath.
Natural Breath is how we normally breathe. It's a maintanance method since it's used to accomodate comfortable respiratory rate while the body is active.
Reverse Breathing is an abdominal expansion on the exhale and contraction on the inhale - as in the heavy-bag drill. It's a maintanance method for certain explosive pushing and hitting.
Tonic Breath is in through the mouth and out through the nose. It's a recovery method which is used 'between rounds' or while the activity cycle is in stasis. At rest, the natural emphasis is on the inhale, but when the respiratory rate is elevated during demanding activity, the emphasis is on the exhale.
Cleansing Breath is in through the nose and out through the mouth. At rest, this recovery method places an emphasis on the exhale, but while under extreme performance demands, the inhale is naturally emphasized.
The breathwork we use under different types of performance demands involves these 4 main breathing patterns. Each method is explored individually since everyone comes into the training each day carrying a different bunch of emotional and psychological baggage. We don't try to analyse any of it. I stress the idea of developing an instinctual acuity to ones overall internal state and using the appropriate breathing pattern for very immediate and practical needs.
I try to get people to find their natural sound(s) as a way to learn more about coordinating the different breathing methods with their movement.
Are there similar exploratory methods in the RMAX approach to breathwork?
Thanks in advance,
Bruce Pack
I noticed a Performance Breathing module has been added to the RMAX lineup and was wondering if there is anything in the offing which addresses the effects different sounds have when they're coupled with breath?
My TCC training included this study and looked at how the 4 main Tai Chi chi-kung breathing methods affect the overall energy-management under various levels of performance demand, and how making different sounds emphaiszes inhalation/exhalation for more efficient energy-management.
We all know that tension caused by adrenaline, perceived effort, or 'pressure to perform', accumulates in the shoulders. This raises the energy, and in Tai Chi theory, raised energy compromises the integrity of one's root/base. If the root is compromised, everything else is.
One method I use to have people demonstrate this idea on themselves is to have them hit a heavy-bag with a straight-blast from a square stance, and land each hit at face-height or higher. I tell them I want to see how much strength they have in their back and hips so there's no suggested internal dialogue when they go to setting their mind to the task. They're supposed to go as as fast and as long as they can and invariably, the first time they try it, they replicate the basic perception patterns/self-induced expectations they would have under real stress.Their tension rises into their shoulders and their feet get very light as they continue hitting the bag. They're then shown how to make a sound like "IIIiiisshhh" out the mouth each time they hit. This sound expands the lower abdomen and sinks the energy - preventing it from gathering as tension in the shoulders.
Likewise, when hitting down between chest-height and navel, breathing "hhhnnNN" out the nose or "uuSSS" out the mouth keeps the energy coalescent in the middle torso and allows for greater energy-transfer into the bag.
The purpose of those exercises is just to get them feeling where their energy is and give them a starting point from which to explore the different breathing methods.
I organize the 4 main breathing methods as either "maintanance" or "recovery" breath.
Natural Breath is how we normally breathe. It's a maintanance method since it's used to accomodate comfortable respiratory rate while the body is active.
Reverse Breathing is an abdominal expansion on the exhale and contraction on the inhale - as in the heavy-bag drill. It's a maintanance method for certain explosive pushing and hitting.
Tonic Breath is in through the mouth and out through the nose. It's a recovery method which is used 'between rounds' or while the activity cycle is in stasis. At rest, the natural emphasis is on the inhale, but when the respiratory rate is elevated during demanding activity, the emphasis is on the exhale.
Cleansing Breath is in through the nose and out through the mouth. At rest, this recovery method places an emphasis on the exhale, but while under extreme performance demands, the inhale is naturally emphasized.
The breathwork we use under different types of performance demands involves these 4 main breathing patterns. Each method is explored individually since everyone comes into the training each day carrying a different bunch of emotional and psychological baggage. We don't try to analyse any of it. I stress the idea of developing an instinctual acuity to ones overall internal state and using the appropriate breathing pattern for very immediate and practical needs.
I try to get people to find their natural sound(s) as a way to learn more about coordinating the different breathing methods with their movement.
Are there similar exploratory methods in the RMAX approach to breathwork?
Thanks in advance,
Bruce Pack