Re: Breathing

"Scott Lemley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Breathing. Now we're talking, Ruth. If "balance" is our mantra, slow,
> deep breathing is the core of our daily practice.
>
> I know, I know, many of you will say "What's he talking about!? I'm
> conscious of my breathing! What's the big deal? Everyone breathes!"
> But you're not really conscious of your breathing. Not unless you
> practice breathing as an art form. Breathing for most of us is
> involuntary . . . unless you MAKE it voluntary. That's when breathing
> becomes something very powerful.
>
> This was my 4th year coaching the LHS swim team. The graduating
> seniors and I started with the program at the same time. When our boys
> won the state meet a couple weeks ago (for the first time in the
> school's long history) it was a very sweet moment. We also won the
> Sportsmanship Award. That was even sweeter.
>
> For 4 years now I've started every high school practice with 10 slow
> deep breaths. Think that was an easy sell to 50 high school students?
> NOT. That first year I slowly brought them around to believe in my
> martial arts based swim practices. Several of the swimmers simply
> refused to participate when I had everyone lay down on the deck and
> practice 10 slow, deep breaths. They thought it was pretty lame. Those
> who bought into my philosophy averaged 5% improvement that season. The
> next year everyone was into slow, deep breathing. I added a bit of
> meditation. Some giggled and laughed and didn't take it seriously. The
> ones who did averaged 6% improvement that season. The 3rd year
> everyone was into slow, deep breathing and meditation.
>
> I'd almost be willing to take a control group and have them do nothing
> more than practice slow, deep breathing for 2 hours every day while
> the rest of my team swims a normal practice. It might be interesting
> to track the results throughout the season. Except I know that there
> are a lot more lessons to learn than conscious breathing and I
> wouldn't want the members of the control group to miss out on them.
>
> How many of you practice slow, deep breathing? I'd be interested in
> knowing.
>
> Regards,
>
> Scott


Here is a personal perspective on the subject, Scott:

I have been practicing mindful breathing for nearly twenty
years, mainly through swimming, but still feel that I am just
a beginner. Over the years I observed the development of
this practice, seeing enough results that still motivates me
to explore further and deeper.

As you have mentioned above, an affinity between martial
arts - which according to the history of their development
have originally grown out the yoga system - and swimming
seems natural. We know that the best swimmers, in addition
to having the right physique and training, are often possessed
with fluid, harmonious and relaxed motion. Almost an "artistic"
quality beyond having learned the tricks of the trade.

They are finely integrated. What is their secret? One
secret is harnessing rhythm, strung on breathing.

That achievement depends on as much natural potential,
as to mindful development of that talent.  I am fortunate
to find myself amongst naturally talented swimmers which
is one of my gifts that I treasure, and use on a daily basis.

As to development, originally I am of the "hard-nosed"
school of no mumbo jumbo: scientific evidence, etc. I'm
a planner of human environment for business activities,
using design, ergonomics and hard business reasoning.

My approach to my training is basically very much in the
mould of current thinking on physical education, and I
keep myself updated on the subject as much as I can.

My studies however consistently pointed me in the
direction of the history of human endeavour to integrate
mind and body, which lead me to Zen and eventually
Yoga system; the matrix of Zen.

A good deal of misunderstanding seems to surround
attempts at linking ancient systems of body discipline,
to complement the modern hard-nosed approach to
physical education. Myself being amongst the guilty
ones for having been dismissive and ignorant in the
earlier encounters with ancient systems, for their
apparent obscurity and irrationality.

But the core knowledge in these ancient arts, once
cleared from the mystic fog that surrounds them,
will reveal sharply rational systems of mind-body
disciplines, with a decisive emphasis on breathing and
slow motion, leading to fast, powerful and skilfully directed
actions. No mystery there for the sceptics once they try.

The challenge lies not in conquering the body, as it seems
to be the primary goal of contemporary physical education,
but the mind. And there's the rub.

You have mentioned "deep breathing" above. Deep
breathing results from _complete breathing_ as Larry
explained in response to one of my posts : "top, middle,
and bottom" and the wave motion in its execution. This
can be achieved best when the body is in good posture,
supple and relaxed.

No amount of "deep breathing" practice can engrain the
habit of "complete breathing", unless the body is first
educated. That is why Yoga begins with opening of the
body that leads to good posture and a relaxed body,
in readiness for complete breathing whose lack deprives
most of us from many benefits that it can bring.

The reason that breathing is often neglected is because
it is easier to train the muscles than the mind. Breathing
discipline is linked more to the mind than the body, and
practically delegated (relegated) to the involuntary system.

In my experience, I have been very successful with my
body. It is lean, supple and athletic, and quite youthful
looking for my age: 50. I am flattered that young strong
swimmers mark me in the pool to measure themselves,
trailing behind. But my struggle with developing perfect
breathing discipline is only at the beginning, albeit relatively
advanced.

My awareness of this critical mind-body link fuels my
determination to continue with my combination of
swimming and breathing exercises to eventually reach
a level of success in bringing this involuntary function
under a healthy degree of will.

As for meditation that you mention, the only time that
I find for it is when I swim. When I start swimming,
I have a mind full of swirling thoughts about mundane
affairs of daily life.  But within doing four sets of 400
freestyle, I realign and quieten my mind. The rest of the
session is a pleasure cruise with the body the boat, the
mind the voyager, and the breath the wind! :)

Regards,
Shahin

PS Your posts in r.s.s. are amongst the most readable, Scott.
      I am also grateful for introducing me to the idea of  "fist
      swimming" which I find most rewarding.