|
Monthly Message: March 2001
Fellow Karate-ka:
Tanden. That oh so mystical
word. It is the center of power on and in the human body just below the
navel where all breath should start and all power form. If you can
develop your tanden then all of your karate will be properly executed.
In this
short lesson on your tanden I want to concentrate on the breathing
aspect of it. You must relearn how to breathe. When you are a baby you
breathe correctly. As you grow older you develop bad habits and breathe
only with your lungs. You must learn to breathe from deep within.
Filling your lower abdominal area first, followed by your lungs and
chest, and finishing with your throat. You must exhale in the exact
opposite order.
This takes
some serious concentration to relearn. But with some good practice you
will start to develop your breathing correctly and your overall health
and karate will improve. Start by sitting cross-legged on the floor
with your spine completely straight. (You may use a pillow to support
your hips if necessary.) Next close your eyes and let your hands relax
on your knees. Think about only breathing. That’s right, only
breathing. Slowly inhale deeply through your nose and try to fill your
lower abdomen with air first. When you are completely filled with air
to your throat then exhale slowly in reverse order until you are
completely empty. Then start the process over again. Try doing this
for five minutes.
You will
find that this is difficult to do without your mind wandering in many
different directions. It is important that you keep trying though. As
time goes by and with lots of practice your breathing will improve and
you will begin to be aware of your tanden. This is the first and most
important part of our lengthy study on the tanden. I will revisit this
subject many times to help each of us grow in our knowledge of tanden.
This is the way.
Sensei Dave
|
2009
July 2009
April 2009
March 2009
January 2009
2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
2007
December 2007
November 2007
September 2007
2004
April/May 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
2003
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
2002
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
2001
September 2001
July 2001
March 2001
February 2001
|
