pancho
02-05-2004, 03:21 PM
I just recieved Pavel's "Naked Warrior" and really enjoyed it. I also have his "PTP" book and have experimented with his techniques on high tension exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and presses. What I have found is that Pavel's high tension techniques really boost your strength, keep you more stable, and increase the saftey of these exercises, especially when the weights get heavy.
My problem comes with applying his power breathing technique. It certainly boosts my strength, but I don't feel very good afterwards. I feel stiff both physically and mentally and I know this can't be very good. On the contrast, when using performance breathing, as described in Coach Sonnon's CST book, I feel relaxed and loose afterwards.
Coach Sonnon writes:
"You cannot be a marksman with Power Breathing, nor an archer, nor an efficient fighter. You can’t do Power Breathing and paint, drive your car, negotiate in the board room, fix an engine, catch a ball, ride a wave, or play with your child."
So I understand you can't do complex skills very well while power breathing, and performance breathing is the breathing protocol of choice for this application. But what about simple skills, like heavy barbell squats, where you must stay tense throughout the whole movement, or face injury. Would it be safe to put 500lbs across your back and squat while using performance breathing and emptying your lungs of air? Or do you need to use power breathing in order to generate enough pressurization to stay safe.
Currently I am using performance breathing for my CB and KB ballistic exercises as well as in my BJJ training. But for high tension exercises such as those found in Pavel's PTP and Naked Warrior I use power breathing. If I can get away with safely doing performance breathing for my high tension exercises I will gladly do so.
My problem comes with applying his power breathing technique. It certainly boosts my strength, but I don't feel very good afterwards. I feel stiff both physically and mentally and I know this can't be very good. On the contrast, when using performance breathing, as described in Coach Sonnon's CST book, I feel relaxed and loose afterwards.
Coach Sonnon writes:
"You cannot be a marksman with Power Breathing, nor an archer, nor an efficient fighter. You can’t do Power Breathing and paint, drive your car, negotiate in the board room, fix an engine, catch a ball, ride a wave, or play with your child."
So I understand you can't do complex skills very well while power breathing, and performance breathing is the breathing protocol of choice for this application. But what about simple skills, like heavy barbell squats, where you must stay tense throughout the whole movement, or face injury. Would it be safe to put 500lbs across your back and squat while using performance breathing and emptying your lungs of air? Or do you need to use power breathing in order to generate enough pressurization to stay safe.
Currently I am using performance breathing for my CB and KB ballistic exercises as well as in my BJJ training. But for high tension exercises such as those found in Pavel's PTP and Naked Warrior I use power breathing. If I can get away with safely doing performance breathing for my high tension exercises I will gladly do so.