Breathing:
Hyperventilation: Notes on Trance States and Suggestion in Martial Arts From the Abstract of the presented paper:
- This paper examines the relationship between hyperventilation, defined as breathing in excess of metabolic (physiological) requirements, and the phenomena of ‘trance states’ and suggestion, in the practice of the martial arts.
It is proposed that martial arts instructors should become familiar with the fundamentals of scientific respiratory psychophysiology, and of hypnosis, in order to avoid potential harm to themselves and their students, through inappropriate respiratory training, and an inability to use martial arts skills through encoding in: ‘State Dependent’ Memory, Learning and Behaviour (SDMLB).
An understanding of these phenomena, would allow the martial artist to employ safe respiratory training regimens; to improve performance; and ensure an appropriate ‘release’ of learned self-defense skills, in an emergency.
Free Download of “The Breath In Action” A short synopsis of the book:
- “Breath in Action” confirms the importance of breath as central to all vocal communication. Bringing together experts on voice and breath from a variety of backgrounds, the book provides a wealth of information on the art of breath and vocal communication. New strategies for teaching breath, new paths of integration from various other disciplines and the latest in medical information are all brought together in this comprehensive, user-friendly volume. Divided into five sections, the book considers the use of breath in a range of contexts: Breath in the Body; Breath Across Cultures; Breath in Training; Breath in Movement; and Breath and the Mind. It offers an up- to- date perspective on how breath is taught in order to achieve better results in a performance context, and how it is conceptualised in order to add greater meaning and generate greater understanding of all human communication. Combining theory with practice, many of the chapters contain clearly laid out practical exercises on breathing techniques from various disciplines. Interdisciplinary in its focus, “Breath in Action” adds to specialist knowledge in the performance field, whilst also offering enlightening information for those interested in therapeutic and healing processes, movement, and voice and speech sciences.
Dantien Cultivation:
“Daoist Lower Dantien Psychotherapy (pdf)” from the article:
- Dan-tien is a Daoist expression for energy center. There is a psychotherapeutic process related to Daoist practices of dan-tien development. The dan-tien psychotherapeutic process does not fit the pattern of what we normally think of as psychotherapy. It takes place in the larger context of a person’s existence in the universe. Therapy takes place when there is an interaction between the person and the cosmos.
Although many psychotherapists have incorporated meditation for their clients as well as for themselves,the central factor in the western psychotherapeutic process is the verbal exchange of thought and experience between client and therapist. In Daoist practice there is an exchange of non-verbal information between the practitioner and nature.
Dantien Breathing for Martial Arts (and Health). From article:
- Embryonic Breathing is a technique that allows you to store the Qi (Chi) at the Real Dan Tian (elixir field), in the center of your abdomen and accumulate your body’s energy to a higher capacity.
- The Lower Dan Tian is regarded today as the second brain, your body’s “battery” which can store a bioelectric charge. Qi is the energy or lifeforce within every cell of our body. It cannot yet be clearly defined, but it consists largely of the bioelectricity produced by the body’s metabolism. When the bioelectricity storage has reached a high level, the vital energy manifested by the physical body will be strong. Naturally, you will be healthy and have a long life.
The TAOBUMS Discussion on the “Second Brain” or Dantien Links out to several more interesting articles.
(All above links were culled from various postings on the great Viva La Pepa! blog, which you should definitely check out.)
