Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Natural Breathing

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)


It was once stated, "Just breathe naturally!" That sounds good and many responded with comments such as if I were not breathing naturally I would be dead so that got me to thinking, "What is natural breathing?" It's a good question because most folks "assume" they know what that means. 


I decided to do a bit of research to find out what it means and the first site I pulled up was at anxieties.com under the heading, "Natural Breathing." It is also referred to as abdominal breathing. In the article it also speaks to calming breath and then something called, "Calming Counts." 


The first and last will interest my readers more because it addresses, at least from one point, both natural breathing and a type of breathing that accesses the calming response of the body and mind to calm both out especially those monkey antics self-talk that tends to get a few folks in deep waters where the sharks swim. 


Take a look here, the article is pretty short: https://anxieties.com/136/gad-step3a


The next site is from Chintamani Yoga and although it goes into a variety of concepts they too refer to natural breathing as abdominal breathing. I like the first site because this one tends to go off into a longer explanation with an agenda toward the practice of yoga. It is a very interesting article.


Take a look here, the article: https://chintamaniyoga.com/natural-breathing-what-is-it/


This last suggestion is from a health aspect. It is on the Healthline page. It talks about the anatomy of a breath then about breathing with the diaphragm and then onto other aspects such as how the weather affects one's breathing. All very good information and you should know it makes no direct reference to either natural or abdominal breathing. 


Take a look here, the article: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-breathe#stronger-diaphragm


In the end, the first article at least to my mind spells out the two most important concepts of breathing naturally from the abdominal area, the diaphragm and that is what one should focus on. 


Now, as to the various breathing teachings of karate such as in the kata and especially the sanchin kata that speaks to some variances of this main concept that adds in dynamic tension along with breathing from the abdomen and that is a matter for your sensei and your style or system. I suggest strongly that you read the above and then consider what is taught because in the end I sincerely don't think the types of dynamic tension muscular sanchin like breathing is really necessary. Why, you may ask? Well, that is a whole nother story and if you read my last on breathing there are links to read to get a picture of all my studies on the subject. 


Also, as a warning, when you do a search on natural breathing you will get thousands and thousands of responses and they will have some things in common but in the end it will be mostly, good and bad, that authors opinion as this article or post is "my opinion, understanding and beliefs." Enjoy!


In the end, breath naturally! You can’t go wrong if you breathe naturally in all you do. 


For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

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