CONTROL AND COORDINATION OF BREATHING
The ability to properly control and coordinate breathing with movement is considered to be a high level skill in Classical Chinese Martial Arts. Often, the importance of learning this high level skill is either not properly taught or neglected all together. Generally, this arises from a lack of genuine knowledge and comprehension of purpose, function, and application.
Physiologically, breathing properly is imperative for a myriad reasons. At this point and for the purpose of this exposition, the three most important functions of breath control and coordination are to facilitate proper:
BREATHING AND BIOLOGICAL ENERGY PRODUCTION
As a whole, our body functions as a massive biochemical and bioelectric generator. Our bodies literally generate energy. This production of energy occurs as the result of biochemistry on a molecular level.
The human body is composed primarily of individual cells. There are approximately 37.2 trillion cells in the human body. Nearly every single cell contains organelles called mitochondria. The precise number of mitochondria in a cell can vary widely by tissue and cell type. For instance, red blood cells have no mitochondria, whereas liver cells can have more than two thousand.
These mitochondria function as biochemical reactors. Mitochondria utilize chemistry on a molecular scale to produce energy. This process is called cellular respiration.
The chemical process of producing energy is accomplished by oxidizing the major products of glucose (pyruvate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrite). This process requires a specific type of cellular respiration known as aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration is dependent on the presence of oxygen.
Simply stated, nearly all the cells of our body are breathing. It is imperative for our cells to breathe oxygen in order to simply survive. It is imperative for our cells to breathe oxygen in order to function properly. It is imperative for our cells to breathe oxygen in order to produce energy.
Interestingly, the earliest logogram for qi (氣) consisted of three wavy lines (三) and represented one's breath as seen on a cold day. A later version of the logogram for qi (气), identical to the present-day simplified logogram, emerged as a stylized version of those same three lines. Early writers of Chinese combined this stylized version of qi (气) with the logogram for rice(米). So, breath (气 ) combined with rice (米), to form vital breath energy (氣) or vital energy arising from the combination of breath and rice.
Is it possible that ancient Chinese understood our body extracts glucose from the food we eat, breaks it down, and combines it with oxygen to produce energy? Perhaps they didn't possess all the specific technical details, but it seems possible they possessed some conceptual understanding that food and air combine to produce energy.
FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The primary function of our respiratory system is to transport oxygen (fuel) from the atmosphere (external environment) to our circulatory system (internal environment). The secondary function of our respiratory system is to transport carbon dioxide (the waste product of burned fuel) from the circulatory system (internal environment) to the atmosphere (external environment). The precise point for this exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the capillaries of the circulatory system.
FUNCTION OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
The primary function of our circulatory system is to transport oxygen (fuel) from our respiratory system to all the individual cells in our body. The secondary function of our circulatory system is to transport carbon dioxide (the waste product of burned fuel) from all the individual cells in our body to the respiratory system. The actual transportation is accomplished by our red blood cells as they circulate through our body as a result of the cardiac cycle.
RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY INTEGRATED INTERACTION
The respiratory and circulatory systems are anatomically and physiologically interdependent. Coordination of the integrated interaction between these interdependent systems is an an autonomic function of the brain. This occurs without the need for or intervention by conscious thought.
Our breathing rate directly affects our heart rate. Conversely, our heart rate directly affects our breathing rate. To maintain homeostasis, any change in one autonomically causes a directly proportional change in the other.
BREATHING AND PHYSICAL MOVEMENT
Physical activity or movement requires energy. This energy is produced by our cells. The harder cells work, the more energy they consume to perform that work. The more energy cells consume, the more they must produce.
Additionally, any increase in the speed at which cells work requires a directly proportional increase in the rapidity at which cells must produce energy. The difference being the amount of energy production versus the pace at which any given amount of energy is produced. The harder and faster cells work, the more energy they must produce at a faster pace.
Due to the nature and function of cellular respiration (the biochemical process of cellular energy production), increased cellular production of energy requires an increased supply of oxygen. Therefore, any increase in physical activity or movement autonomically causes an increased heart rate. Any increase of our heart rate autonomically increases our breathing rate to maintain homeostasis between the respiratory and circulatory systems. This causes blood to flow more rapidly, delivering more oxygen to our cells.
COORDINATION OF BREATHING AND PHYSICAL MOVEMENT
Incorrect control or coordination of breathing hinders proper physical movement. It is important that we understand the act of breathing itself causes physical movement of the body, musculature, internal organs, and structural framework. Such movement results in the gentle massaging of the internal organs, by the diaphragm and abdominal muscles during the execution of the breathing cycle, causing increased blood flow to these internal organs. Increased blood flow results in increased oxygen supply. Increased oxygen supply results in an increased production of cellular energy.
The movement of our musculature and structural framework caused by breathing must be coordinated properly with any other physical movement that occurs simultaneously. We must integrate the act of breathing itself with any other simultaneous movement. This way all physical movement and the physical movement of breathing itself, essentially, becomes one harmonious movement. To function effectively, efficiently, and effortlessly, all the parts of our body must function harmoniously and act in unity as one unified whole.
BREATHING AND PROPER MENTAL STRUCTURE
The importance of proper mental structure will be addressed, in detail, later. At this point, it is important for us to understand that correct methods of breathing are fundamental to establishing and maintaining both proper physical and mental structure. Physiologically, the importance of maintaining an adequate supply of oxygen to the brain should be obvious.
Our brain tissue consists of specific cells called neurons. Each of these cells require oxygen to function properly. If neurons are deprived of oxygen, they begin to function slower and eventually begin to shutdown. This affects not only our ability process information, evaluate options, and make decisions, but our ability to physically act or react as well. As brain function slows or shuts down, so does function of mind and body.
CONCLUSION
Again, we return to the taiji tu. The diagram of supreme ultimate (太極 圖 - taiji tu) is a symbolic representation for the principle of seemingly opposing forces acting harmoniously in relation to the function of any unified system. Additionally, it is intended to illustrate the illusion of duality. The object being to understand that all things possess a dual nature. This dual nature manifests itself as polar extremes. These polar extremes are represented by yin and yang.
Nothing is wholly yin and nothing is wholly yang, because yin and yang are not two fundamentally different entities. They are polar extremes of a single entity. Hot and cold are both degrees of temperature. It is only our perception of the dual nature (polar extremes) of temperature that creates the intellectual construct of two categories of temperature: hot and cold. We perceive the manifestation of temperature's dual nature as hot or cold (polar extremes). Only by understanding the illusion of duality do we begin to understand there is only temperature. Polar opposites are thus unified to function harmoniously within a single system.
Internal structure and external structure, physical structure and mental structure, internal movement and external movement, physical movement and mental movement, even structure and movement themselves, these are not fundamentally separate entities. They are manifestations of the same thing. It is only our perception of these things that creates division. We must correct our perception to comprehend the truth of unity.
We perceive breathing as internal movement. We perceive movement of our limbs as external movement. In fact, they are both the result of internal movement. More simply, they are both movement. Every movement, regardless of its nature (internal or external), must coordinate (unify) with all other simultaneous movement. To function effectively and efficiently, all the parts of our body must function harmoniously and act in unity as one unified whole.
"Everything is permeated with a single movement of breath. Breath unites with movement. Before the hand strikes, comes the vital breath energy. Breath controls the blood and the blood gives birth to the vital energy. It is transferred through the blood and is the base of courage and strength.
When breath comes, vital energy comes.
When the breath is controlled, the blood moves freely.
When the blood moves freely, the blood is healthy and swift.
When the blood is healthy and swift, the vital energy is strong and fast.
Accumulate the breath to accumulate energy.
Release the vital energy to make an effort.
To make an effort, release the breath.
Release the breath to release the vital energy.
Breath is vital energy of the highest value. Breath makes man energetic and his movements natural. It permeates the four extremities and impregnates all joints of the body. Food and water moisten skin and muscles, but only vital breath energy makes the body strong. The great secret to the art lies in the unity of movement and breath."
The ability to properly control and coordinate breathing with movement is considered to be a high level skill in Classical Chinese Martial Arts. Often, the importance of learning this high level skill is either not properly taught or neglected all together. Generally, this arises from a lack of genuine knowledge and comprehension of purpose, function, and application.
Physiologically, breathing properly is imperative for a myriad reasons. At this point and for the purpose of this exposition, the three most important functions of breath control and coordination are to facilitate proper:
- energy production
- physical movement
- mental structure
BREATHING AND BIOLOGICAL ENERGY PRODUCTION
As a whole, our body functions as a massive biochemical and bioelectric generator. Our bodies literally generate energy. This production of energy occurs as the result of biochemistry on a molecular level.
The human body is composed primarily of individual cells. There are approximately 37.2 trillion cells in the human body. Nearly every single cell contains organelles called mitochondria. The precise number of mitochondria in a cell can vary widely by tissue and cell type. For instance, red blood cells have no mitochondria, whereas liver cells can have more than two thousand.
These mitochondria function as biochemical reactors. Mitochondria utilize chemistry on a molecular scale to produce energy. This process is called cellular respiration.
The chemical process of producing energy is accomplished by oxidizing the major products of glucose (pyruvate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrite). This process requires a specific type of cellular respiration known as aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration is dependent on the presence of oxygen.
Simply stated, nearly all the cells of our body are breathing. It is imperative for our cells to breathe oxygen in order to simply survive. It is imperative for our cells to breathe oxygen in order to function properly. It is imperative for our cells to breathe oxygen in order to produce energy.
Interestingly, the earliest logogram for qi (氣) consisted of three wavy lines (三) and represented one's breath as seen on a cold day. A later version of the logogram for qi (气), identical to the present-day simplified logogram, emerged as a stylized version of those same three lines. Early writers of Chinese combined this stylized version of qi (气) with the logogram for rice(米). So, breath (气 ) combined with rice (米), to form vital breath energy (氣) or vital energy arising from the combination of breath and rice.
Is it possible that ancient Chinese understood our body extracts glucose from the food we eat, breaks it down, and combines it with oxygen to produce energy? Perhaps they didn't possess all the specific technical details, but it seems possible they possessed some conceptual understanding that food and air combine to produce energy.
FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The primary function of our respiratory system is to transport oxygen (fuel) from the atmosphere (external environment) to our circulatory system (internal environment). The secondary function of our respiratory system is to transport carbon dioxide (the waste product of burned fuel) from the circulatory system (internal environment) to the atmosphere (external environment). The precise point for this exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the capillaries of the circulatory system.
FUNCTION OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
The primary function of our circulatory system is to transport oxygen (fuel) from our respiratory system to all the individual cells in our body. The secondary function of our circulatory system is to transport carbon dioxide (the waste product of burned fuel) from all the individual cells in our body to the respiratory system. The actual transportation is accomplished by our red blood cells as they circulate through our body as a result of the cardiac cycle.
RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY INTEGRATED INTERACTION
The respiratory and circulatory systems are anatomically and physiologically interdependent. Coordination of the integrated interaction between these interdependent systems is an an autonomic function of the brain. This occurs without the need for or intervention by conscious thought.
Our breathing rate directly affects our heart rate. Conversely, our heart rate directly affects our breathing rate. To maintain homeostasis, any change in one autonomically causes a directly proportional change in the other.
- If we consciously increase our breathing rate, our heart rate automatically increases to maintain homeostasis between the respiratory and circulatory systems. This causes blood to flow more rapidly, delivering more oxygen to our cells.
- If we consciously decrease our breathing rate, our heart rate automatically decreases to maintain homeostasis between the respiratory and circulatory systems. This causes blood to flow less rapidly, delivering less oxygen to our cells.
Alternatively:
- An increased heart rate autonomically increases breathing rate to maintain homeostasis between the respiratory and circulatory systems. This causes blood to flow more rapidly, delivering more oxygen to our cells.
- A decreased heart rate autonomically decreases breathing rate to maintain homeostasis between the respiratory and circulatory systems. This causes blood to flow less rapidly, delivering less oxygen to our cells.
BREATHING AND PHYSICAL MOVEMENT
Physical activity or movement requires energy. This energy is produced by our cells. The harder cells work, the more energy they consume to perform that work. The more energy cells consume, the more they must produce.
Additionally, any increase in the speed at which cells work requires a directly proportional increase in the rapidity at which cells must produce energy. The difference being the amount of energy production versus the pace at which any given amount of energy is produced. The harder and faster cells work, the more energy they must produce at a faster pace.
Due to the nature and function of cellular respiration (the biochemical process of cellular energy production), increased cellular production of energy requires an increased supply of oxygen. Therefore, any increase in physical activity or movement autonomically causes an increased heart rate. Any increase of our heart rate autonomically increases our breathing rate to maintain homeostasis between the respiratory and circulatory systems. This causes blood to flow more rapidly, delivering more oxygen to our cells.
COORDINATION OF BREATHING AND PHYSICAL MOVEMENT
Incorrect control or coordination of breathing hinders proper physical movement. It is important that we understand the act of breathing itself causes physical movement of the body, musculature, internal organs, and structural framework. Such movement results in the gentle massaging of the internal organs, by the diaphragm and abdominal muscles during the execution of the breathing cycle, causing increased blood flow to these internal organs. Increased blood flow results in increased oxygen supply. Increased oxygen supply results in an increased production of cellular energy.
The movement of our musculature and structural framework caused by breathing must be coordinated properly with any other physical movement that occurs simultaneously. We must integrate the act of breathing itself with any other simultaneous movement. This way all physical movement and the physical movement of breathing itself, essentially, becomes one harmonious movement. To function effectively, efficiently, and effortlessly, all the parts of our body must function harmoniously and act in unity as one unified whole.
BREATHING AND PROPER MENTAL STRUCTURE
The importance of proper mental structure will be addressed, in detail, later. At this point, it is important for us to understand that correct methods of breathing are fundamental to establishing and maintaining both proper physical and mental structure. Physiologically, the importance of maintaining an adequate supply of oxygen to the brain should be obvious.
Our brain tissue consists of specific cells called neurons. Each of these cells require oxygen to function properly. If neurons are deprived of oxygen, they begin to function slower and eventually begin to shutdown. This affects not only our ability process information, evaluate options, and make decisions, but our ability to physically act or react as well. As brain function slows or shuts down, so does function of mind and body.
CONCLUSION
Nothing is wholly yin and nothing is wholly yang, because yin and yang are not two fundamentally different entities. They are polar extremes of a single entity. Hot and cold are both degrees of temperature. It is only our perception of the dual nature (polar extremes) of temperature that creates the intellectual construct of two categories of temperature: hot and cold. We perceive the manifestation of temperature's dual nature as hot or cold (polar extremes). Only by understanding the illusion of duality do we begin to understand there is only temperature. Polar opposites are thus unified to function harmoniously within a single system.
Internal structure and external structure, physical structure and mental structure, internal movement and external movement, physical movement and mental movement, even structure and movement themselves, these are not fundamentally separate entities. They are manifestations of the same thing. It is only our perception of these things that creates division. We must correct our perception to comprehend the truth of unity.
We perceive breathing as internal movement. We perceive movement of our limbs as external movement. In fact, they are both the result of internal movement. More simply, they are both movement. Every movement, regardless of its nature (internal or external), must coordinate (unify) with all other simultaneous movement. To function effectively and efficiently, all the parts of our body must function harmoniously and act in unity as one unified whole.
"Everything is permeated with a single movement of breath. Breath unites with movement. Before the hand strikes, comes the vital breath energy. Breath controls the blood and the blood gives birth to the vital energy. It is transferred through the blood and is the base of courage and strength.
When breath comes, vital energy comes.
When the breath is controlled, the blood moves freely.
When the blood moves freely, the blood is healthy and swift.
When the blood is healthy and swift, the vital energy is strong and fast.
Accumulate the breath to accumulate energy.
Release the vital energy to make an effort.
To make an effort, release the breath.
Release the breath to release the vital energy.
Breath is vital energy of the highest value. Breath makes man energetic and his movements natural. It permeates the four extremities and impregnates all joints of the body. Food and water moisten skin and muscles, but only vital breath energy makes the body strong. The great secret to the art lies in the unity of movement and breath."
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