Breath Syllables

[Sifumorgan]

I've heard about using different sounds with "chi" and would like to know what different types of shouts there are and what are the best syllables.

Here are the sounds I use:

sit = speed strike

eesh = quick and powerful strike

yin = very intense strength (cinching/throwing/overpowering opponent) This one I use fairly often and always wondered why it felt so natural. It is a very guttural and growly sounding that lasts an entire second with most of the emphasis on the 'eh' and 'n' sound.

If you whisper some words to yourself containing multiple syllables while maintaining the same air flow, you should notice breaks and strains in the air flow as you go through the syllables.

Below I pasted an answer from http://wongkk.com/answers/ans00b/dec00-3.html concerning different breath types.

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In chi kung, breathing is categorized into two broad types called wen xi and wu xi, or "scholars' breathing" and "warriors' breathing". Scholars' breathing is gentle whereas warriors' breathing is forceful but not forced.

Scholars' breathing is useful for quiet activities, such as meditation and intellectual work. Warriors' breathing is useful for vigorous actions, like combat and sports.

Breathing out through the nose is usually adopted for scholars' breathing. With the mouth gently close the rate of breathing can be slowed down tremendously, resulting in a deep, gentle breath that is conducive to mental focus and serenity.

Breathing out through the mouth is generally used for warriors' breathing. With the mouth open it is more efficient in disposing off the toxic waste produced by vigorous actions.

When force is exerted such as in a strike, the exponent not only breathes out through the mouth but gives a shout, not so much for scaring the opponent but for exploding internal force. By using appropriate sounds, a skilful exponent can channel internal force from relevant parts of his body.

For example, by using the sound "her-it" he can generate internal force from the qi-hai (abdominal energy field) for a powerful punch or palm strike; by using the sound "yaaaah" he can generate energy from his tan-choong (thoracic energy field) for a forceful tiger claw.

If a martial artist habitually closes his mouth when exerting forceful strikes or kicks, some force may bounce back and become locked, usually at the chest or backbone, causing internal injury. I have treated a few martial artists, some of them are third and fourth dan blackbelts, for this problem.

While most martial artists of other styles do not pay attention to their breathing, which is a crucial factor in energy management, the Chinese masters have developed breath control to a very high level. There are seven types of breathing -- not just two. They are in Cantonese pronunciation :"fu", "kap", "piai", "shui", "jeng", "hot", "fong". "Fu" is breathing out, "kap" breathing in, "piai" holding the breath, "shui" letting the breath flow out spontaneously, "jeng" quietening the breath, "hot" exploding the breath, "fong" releasing the breath.

By employing these various breathing modes in suitable combinations, a kungfu master enhances his stamina, force, agility, stability, judgment, responses and decision making. For example, when observing an opponent he would take a deep breath into his abdomen and adopt the "jeng" mode of breathing. If he has to jump up or away, he would take in a quick breath to his chest "to be as light as a feather" , and as he lands he would use the "fong" mode to lower his remaining breath to his abdomen "to be as solid as a mountain"

If he has to make a series of movements, such as fighting a gang, he would take in a gentle breath, employ the "shui" mode while executing many fast attacks, and complete the cour de grace on the gang leader with the "hot" mode -- all in one long breath. This is one of many reasons why while many other martial artists may be panting for breath after ten minutes of action, a kungfu master is still fresh and relaxed after sparring for an hour.

[Sifumorgan]

I've made an observation from the above info about how the 'her-it' sound works...

The strike is fired off with the exhalation of breath using the airy 'her' sound and the 'it' sound is released at the moment right before impact, the sudden explosion of force; ging.

What do you guys think?

[onyomi]

May I ask what style you do, Morgan? I'm assuming it's Southern, maybe CLF? I'm saying this because northern styles do not, as I know distinguish between "warrior's breath" and "scholar's breath." It is all "scholar's breath." We do make various sounds in our qigong, but they are for harmonizing the organs, as opposed to martial.

I have heard my shifu mention that in actual fights northern CMAists will adopt the sound of an animal they think suits them personally, but I haven't been taught this method yet. I believe he said Bruce Lee was a leapord (those characteristic noises he makes in a movie fight)? Maybe someone who knows more about Bruce can clarify that one.

[DRMA]

I only know the basic sounds in Hung Gar. All is warriors breath.

Ha is a powerful blow the air comes from the bottom of the stomach (well that is what it feels like it doesn't)

Hey comes from the upper part of the lungs it is for sharper stikes

I have no Idea how to type the Tiger sound but that is alongated (very aggresive) and the power follows the intensity of the sound.

Hee is very sharp can be used with impact (inch punch ) type moves and is commonly used with leapoard.

There are alot of higher level noises but I don't know them yet. Some have a similar intensity to the Bruce lee sound.

[Sifumorgan]

tiger kai, shaolin iron tiger claw, hungar, wing chun, mantis

My sifu didn't go into great detail about sounds, we used scholar's breath during chi kung. He did use repeating ones though like ataaa! ata! and raaaaaaaa!

[TheDarkJester]

I gotta ask.. how does one imitate the sound of a mantis breathing?

[Yohan]

I gotta ask.. how does one imitate the sound of a mantis breathing?

Mantis breath sounds just like Fatty McGee.

[TheDarkJester]

Why I gotta sound like a fanboy when I'm whoopin someones ass? seriously!

Why can't I just be silent and focus on the task at hand? All I want to do is leave my shins imprint in someones rib cage.. Why I gotta sound like a total sinocentric fruitcake?

If I'm fighting I'm either laughing at them because they can't hit for squat, or just can't connect if their lives depended on it, or I'm dead silent because they can and I need to pay attention or get laid out.

[Bil Gee]

If there's one thing that the image of CMAs doesn't need now is "magic screams" to help you fight. This kind of stuff is just embarassing.

[Yohan]

Why I gotta sound like a fanboy when I'm whoopin someones ass? seriously!

Why can't I just be silent and focus on the task at hand? All I want to do is leave my shins imprint in someones rib cage.. Why I gotta sound like a total sinocentric fruitcake?

If I'm fighting I'm either laughing at them because they can't hit for squat, or just can't connect if their lives depended on it, or I'm dead silent because they can and I need to pay attention or get laid out.

Anyways, here's my take on the thing . . .

All that "ha," "hoo," and "eesh" breathing is merely a teaching technique. By making those types of sounds, your lungs/diaphragm operate in a different way. By performing a certain action, and correlating that action with specific movement in the lungs and diaphragm, your body will learn to correlate a specific breathing type with a specific movement. Supposedly, these different types of breathing types will be most beneficial to whatever body movement the breathing type is correlated to.

When the brown smelly stuff hits the fan, you shouldn't be worried about saying "ah" "ooh" "eesh" and correlating that with specific movements, your body should already know which type of breathing to use with each type of movement.

[TheDarkJester]

*flies across thread in a 6080 spinning hook kick* WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAH BITCHES!

KEEEYAI! HADOUKEN! SHORYUKEN!!!

[Yohan]

*flies across thread in a 6080 spinning hook kick* WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAH BITCHES!

KEEEYAI! HADOUKEN! SHORYUKEN!!!

I think you've actually mastered it. I just want to know which move correlates with "bitches."

I think all the TKD soccer mommies will be taken aback when they bring their little Johnny to DJ's praying mantis DOJO!

DJ: REVERSE PUNCHING!! GO!! ONE!!
Little Johnny and company: BI!!
DJ: TWO!!
Little Johnny and company: TCHES!!
DJ: REVERSE PUNCHING!! PUNCHING HAARDER!! ONE-TWO!!
Little Johnny and company: BI-TCHES!!
DJ: HARDER! MORE CHI!!!! ONE-TWO-ONE!!
Little Johnny and company: BI-TCHES-BI!!

[TheDarkJester]

Bitches actually correlates to feinting the eye gouge with KEEEYAI! as the guard raises to block, I strike low to the balls screaming "BITCHES!"

Then I just backfist them and call it a day

[Yohan]

Originally Posted by TheDarkJester

Bitches actually correlates to feinting the eye gouge with KEEEYAI! as the guard raises to block, I strike low to the balls screaming "BITCHES!"

Then I just backfist them and call it a day

Dem bitches.

[DRMA]

Originally Posted by Bil Gee

If there's one thing that the image of CMAs doesn't need now is "magic screams" to help you fight. This kind of stuff is just embarassing.

They aren't "magic screams" and most striking MA use them not just CMA. Karate and TKD certainly do. The breathing cycle is very important for controling the power in MA the yells are away of controlling the breathing cycle in a specific way. Of course in fighting most moves will not have and noise (the intensity of moves varyies greatly in fighting) but if you make an opening and want to deliver a powerfull blow why not. I have even seen boxers do it.