Karate: Breathing

All athletes will attest to the fact that correct breathing is important in any sport. Thus, as a budding karate enthusiast, you should know this piece of information.

Ibuki

There are several ways of performing this technique, for example in san chin dachi. Here, we will consider the classical way. When the hands go up to cross in front of the chest, breathe in; and then as they go down (straight or making a small circle), exhale.

During the breathing out, ALL muscles are at maximum tension. When performed with san chin dachi, do the short inhalation together with the step (from the left san chin dachi to the right and vice versa), while the breathing out should be done while powerful muscle contraction is performed as you are ''settling down'' into the position, after the step.

Nogare Gai


Move the hands up in circular motion, slightly stretching your body, while breathing in. Move them staight down in front of your body, with the palms down, as if you are pushing something down, with the abdominal muscles tense (not as tense as with the ibuki), while breathing out.

Nogare Sho

Breathing in as you move your hands close to the armpits, with the palms facing up. At the end of your breath, throw your hands forward. Then breathe out as you bring your hands down, with the palms facing down, in a circle. No tension should be present in your exhalation or in your muscles.