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Home » Blog » Breathing For Top Martial Arts Performance

Breathing For Top Martial Arts Performance

July 26, 2013 By Sensei Matt Klein

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Just breathe for martial arts performance

Breathing properly is the key to martial arts performance

On the wrestling mats in high school I threw guys around like rag dolls. For about 30 seconds. It was then that I usually gassed out and it was a great relief when I inevitably got pinned. Of course, the coach was not happy, as our team was a perennial powerhouse, and I was one of the few losses. You see, I was always one of the strongest guys on the mat, but lacked stamina. Or so I thought.

Was it the oppressive tropical summer heat in Rio, or was I just out of shape? 4th Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Rodrigo Antunes and I were rolling on the mat in the morning for my private lesson. He of course was just toying with me, tapping me right and left, but I was so tired I was just sucking eggs. All of a sudden he stopped, looked at me, and said “Matt, you are holding your breath. You need to breathe”. I started thinking about it. Maybe that was my problem.

Jean Jacques Machado was having a friendly roll with many of the students who attended his seminar in Sydney. He was merely playing with all comers, and sliced through them like butter, tapping all without much apparent effort. I knew he was good, but how could he go against so many guys in a row without even BREATHING HARD? It occurred to me all of a sudden. His breathing was loud, so loud the whole class could hear it. It was also deep, and slow. It was a revelation for me. He would breathe in for a couple of seconds very deeply, and then release it slowly and loudly. He seemed to possess unlimited energy.

In yoga they tell us that you must focus on the breath. After two years of this I am starting to understand the wisdom of it. If you focus on the breath, and control your breathing, not only does it slow your heart rate down, but it also takes your mind off any uncomfortable position you might be in. Another benefit—by bringing your focus on your breath, it helps you to relax, which is what you need to avoid gassing out.

I started to practice a deep breathing method while working out at home. A big fan of body weight exercises, I would breathe in for two reps and then breathe out for three. I concentrated on focusing on the breath, not on the total number of reps. A very interesting thing started to happen. I usually did about three sets of twenty. But I now found myself counting to 36, 37, 38 without even realising it. I was so focused on the breathing I forgot about the discomfort of the exercise or even that I had to stop when I reached twenty.

I am finally learning how to slow my breath down in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes. Believe me, I am now having much more fun on the mats. I wish I would have learned this years ago. Thanks Rodrigo, thanks J.J. Machado, and thanks especially to my yoga instructors who finally drove this point home. What are your secrets for breathing correctly in the martial arts?

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Filed Under: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, For the Martial Artist

Comments

  1. Dr Ben says

    July 27, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    Exactly! What a revelation that you can control your heart rate and fatigue by controlling your breathing. You do have to get yourself to a certain physical point, but it is really cool. Thanks for putting this out there.

  2. Sensei Matt Klein says

    July 27, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    Thanks for your visit Dr. Ben and especially your feedback.

  3. Silver Price says

    July 29, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    The bottom line is that without proper control over our breathing it is way to easy to run out of gas. As you know, BJJ training sessions and matches can go on for a long time. That means that you are exerting quite a bit during most matches, so failure to breathe properly can result in catastrophe for your win/loss record.

  4. Sensei Matt Klein says

    July 31, 2013 at 9:07 am

    So true Silver Price. When I trained in Brazil, we would go ten minute rounds much of the time. You really have to learn how to conserve energy under those circumstances, especially in the tropical heat and humidity of the summer. I don’t worry too much about win/loss record at my age, LOL.

  5. Dalton Swanson says

    September 22, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    Prof Alvaro Romano (Ginastica Natural) : Breathing is very important in your life. If you don’t eat one day, it’s ok. If you don’t sleep one day, it’s ok. But if you don’t breathe one minute, you’ll die. When you control your breathing, you can control your mind and body. The meditation is control for your breathing. People say to stop your mind when you meditate, but don’t stop your mind, focus on your breathing. Pay attention to kids or people who don’t have stress; they breathe from their abs. You practice your breathing every day. Relax and pay attention to your breathing.

  6. Sensei Matt Klein says

    September 23, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    I had the pleasure of meeting the professor in Rio a few years back, and trained with a few of his people. His breathing exercises were exceptional, and helped me greatly. Thanks very much for your comment Dalton.

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mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
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Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
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Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
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I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
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The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
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I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
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09/01/2014
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Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
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