Breathing....from barbara

An afterthought from our Monday conversation about stamina. Shihan always emphasizes breathing to help. Breath through the nose into your belly and out through your mouth. He says to "keep your diaphram down." You can practice this at odd times on the subway, etc. We always practice this at the beginning and end of class when sensei says to close the eyes.

You especially want to keep your diaphram down when someone is punching you in the solar plexus, otherwise it's really painful. It's amusing to try and time your punches with someone's breathe so you catch them exhaling as you punch.

I've found the breathing thing really useful for calming myself at times in my regular life too.