I think the obvious "do cardio" is not the right answer. You need to do cardio well.
This is incredibly difficult as we already think we know how to breathe. As you already know, a non-strenous paced activity sustained for over 20-min will build endurance. Aerobic exercise, however, will only become of benefit after you've beaten whatever part of you that's holding back your breath into submission -- and more often than not, we're too strong for that. In short, this is not chiefly a physical problem (in my humble assessment)--this is a control issue.
(On the really curious, weird and personal side, I've noticed that I shallow-breathe out of a sense of "slight" ego. The breath, inhale and exhale, is a big part of our personal space. Out of a desire to tread lightly, I've apparently also conditioned myself to breathe lightly. Furthermore, pent up frustration with the factors that led to this state also manifest in exercise as short, anerobic bursts.)
Funny, I wrote in my personal journal just the other day: "The greatest hinderance to recovery is the threat of becoming healthy."
I have a crazy Japanese guy telling me to just do more cardio, I'll either learn how to breathe or keep passing out until I do. That is his philosophy to many things though, side effect of the age and culture he's from. Me, I like guides for such things, like, this is correct, and this is how you get there, but that's not available. I find my breathing is bigger these days, in fact I can't fall asleep some nights if there is an uninterupted line from my nose to my arms because the feeling of breath passing over them is new and distracting, I can't phase it out and it drives me nuts. If it wasn't for my injuries I'd be no one ;)
Beat until ninja, eh? Well it does work ... if you live.
The key, I've learned, to access the higher levels without the damage and the agony is crazy simple. Get this, it's "Have fun." You'll get more oxygen in you (and do it longer) if you're actually enjoying the activity.
That being said it still has to make you breathe heavy for 20-minutes. so, basically jumping up-and-down and waving your arms about would be perfect if you really like that kind of thing.
Personally, I find a little one-on-one basketball leaves me pushing my limits. You want I should invest in a ball?
I think the season for such a game is drawing to a close and it'd be better considered in the spring, but possibly then, yeah.
As for the "As long as you survive", that's exactly the world he came from, post war Japanese martial arts, so yeah. I really enjoy the Aikido as you see, it's a challenge to find other things I like, so, I remember find jumping rope fun, running would be new to me, but might as well give it a go too. With winter coming though, hard to say what's the best idea, as I'd like my endurance up well by the spring to test for my next belt.
Au contraire, mon frère ...forgottenmanSeptember 26 2006, 21:16:41 UTC
I actually find the summer too hot and the air too polluted for outdoor sports. Even if the air is chill, if you're doing it right you'll warm up quickly enough.
Whatever you choose to do, nothing opens up the lungs like genuine enjoyment and competitive excitement was my main point. Friendly competition is even better as it circumvents the whole control thing. Even playing paintball can be good for it but I find the masks interfere too much to make it truly effective. also expensive.
I'm interested in basketball and/or hiking (on varied terrain) as I've discovered that I need to focus on lateral movements which cycling has a complete lack thereof.
Re: Au contraire, mon frère ...squid_pantsSeptember 27 2006, 15:29:20 UTC
Heya Moss! I tried running a bit last night, and my initial power is great but it fades super fast. I'd like to get to the point soon where I can play a little one on one.
This is incredibly difficult as we already think we know how to breathe. As you already know, a non-strenous paced activity sustained for over 20-min will build endurance. Aerobic exercise, however, will only become of benefit after you've beaten whatever part of you that's holding back your breath into submission -- and more often than not, we're too strong for that. In short, this is not chiefly a physical problem (in my humble assessment)--this is a control issue.
(On the really curious, weird and personal side, I've noticed that I shallow-breathe out of a sense of "slight" ego. The breath, inhale and exhale, is a big part of our personal space. Out of a desire to tread lightly, I've apparently also conditioned myself to breathe lightly. Furthermore, pent up frustration with the factors that led to this state also manifest in exercise as short, anerobic bursts.)
Funny, I wrote in my personal journal just the other day: "The greatest hinderance to recovery is the threat of becoming healthy."
Reply
I find my breathing is bigger these days, in fact I can't fall asleep some nights if there is an uninterupted line from my nose to my arms because the feeling of breath passing over them is new and distracting, I can't phase it out and it drives me nuts.
If it wasn't for my injuries I'd be no one ;)
Reply
The key, I've learned, to access the higher levels without the damage and the agony is crazy simple. Get this, it's "Have fun." You'll get more oxygen in you (and do it longer) if you're actually enjoying the activity.
That being said it still has to make you breathe heavy for 20-minutes. so, basically jumping up-and-down and waving your arms about would be perfect if you really like that kind of thing.
Personally, I find a little one-on-one basketball leaves me pushing my limits. You want I should invest in a ball?
Reply
As for the "As long as you survive", that's exactly the world he came from, post war Japanese martial arts, so yeah.
I really enjoy the Aikido as you see, it's a challenge to find other things I like, so, I remember find jumping rope fun, running would be new to me, but might as well give it a go too.
With winter coming though, hard to say what's the best idea, as I'd like my endurance up well by the spring to test for my next belt.
Reply
Whatever you choose to do, nothing opens up the lungs like genuine enjoyment and competitive excitement was my main point. Friendly competition is even better as it circumvents the whole control thing. Even playing paintball can be good for it but I find the masks interfere too much to make it truly effective. also expensive.
I'm interested in basketball and/or hiking (on varied terrain) as I've discovered that I need to focus on lateral movements which cycling has a complete lack thereof.
(oh, and Moss says "Hi.")
Reply
I tried running a bit last night, and my initial power is great but it fades super fast. I'd like to get to the point soon where I can play a little one on one.
Reply
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