| Martial arts training emphasizes proper breathing | | | | also known as combat breathing. Nogare should |
| techniques. Nogare breathing is specific to karate | | | | be used during free fighting and self-defense |
| but can be included in any style. As always, | | | | encounters because it is slow and quiet. Proper |
| consult with a doctor before beginning any new | | | | Nogare breathing should show no signs of |
| exercise regimen. | | | | movement. This is important because movement |
| Nogare Breathing | | | | during breathing could give the assailant an |
| - Stand straight up with the feet shoulder width | | | | opportunity to strike. The body is vulnerable and |
| apart, and with the arms hanging relaxed at the | | | | weaker at the point of inhaling. |
| sides. | | | | When blocking a strike or delivering a martial arts |
| - Take a deep breath in through the nose and | | | | or self-defense technique, exhale with force and |
| raise the arms up to chest level keeping the | | | | kiai - or shout. Observe weight lifting training or |
| hands open. | | | | competition or other martial arts training and you |
| - Bring the hands alongside the chest and force air | | | | will see that they also use this form of breathing. |
| into the abdomen. Set the breath in the lower | | | | Weight lifters shout as they exhale, pushing heavy |
| abdomen for a moment. | | | | weights. Many athletes, including baseball and |
| - With the tongue relaxed behind the upper teeth, | | | | football players, even tennis players grunt, groan, |
| exhale slowly. | | | | or shout during practice or competition. They |
| - Maintain the tongue behind the upper teeth to | | | | have been trained to realize that forceful exhaling |
| help to quiet the breathing. | | | | makes their effort more effective and their body |
| - Repeat the exercise two more times. Nogare is | | | | stronger. |