Hi Tim,
On this particular forum about "internal arts" there seems to be some interesting disagreement concerning the relationship of breathing to striking. There is even talk about inhaling in a strike which is not something I think is that commonplace.
I'm wondering in your long years of study and research in the internal arts, do you think there is good reason to 'inhale' in a strike?
What is your take on "breathing and striking"? Is breathing that secret amongst the old internal teachers that its not openly discussed or taught much?
http://www.emptyflower.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi/YaBB.cgi?board=Xing;action=display;num=1152555380
Thanks in advance.

Andy.

Bawhahahaha !!!
Breathing in when striking... te he..

As Master Wang Xiangzhai used to say

"As for common students, most of them use their ears instead of their eyes."

i think that guy has no idea of what he is talking about,
hes probably trying to confuse you. make sure not to do that.

yes i think breathing is very important, that is why you should do cardiovascular exercise to get those lungs stronger. Ive heard tim say that the person who gasses first loses, and that is absolutely right. why? wel imo, when you are tired, you lose your strength and coordination, then with that goes your balance, then before you know it youre on the ground.

imo, if you want to learn correct breathing, you have to commit to strenuous activity, its supply and demand.

Normally, you exhale with exertion. You can also hold your breath, but run the risk of creating a valsalva effect.

A good way to determine how to breathe when striking is to find people that hit really hard, boxers or Thai boxers for example, and ask them how they breathe.

ima dude also makes a good point, having exceptional cardiovascular fitness will allow you to maintain control of your breathing under stess and during times of great exertion (like a fight). Practicing breathing "methods" will come to no avail if you run out of breath for lack of endurance.