John, a young actor experienced difficulty with breathing exercises, audible speech and emotional expression. Frustration, anger and rage caused him to hold his breath until his face turned red and blood vessels quivered in his neck. We tried several approaches to the problem and discovered blowing air with extreme vigor most helpful. His first blowing experience outside the classroom was amusing and insightful.

Walking down a NYC street, John was unable to avoid a childhood acquaintance. The acquaintance cornered him and made John angry. In order to avoid fainting, John released a long vigorous exhalation. The acquaintance responded, “You can hit me, insult me, but don’t blow on me” as he turned and walked away.

Animals are masters of the blow. They release loud blows through the nostrils when they sense danger. Equines flare nostrils and make a sound audible 1000+ feet away. My Chow makes awesome blowing sounds when prowlers awaken her at night. It’s an expression of intention and power.

The ultimate blow is the Kiai (spirit shout), described as the release of all the breath in an explosion of sound. It’s a technique in martial arts reputed to have the power to heal or kill, depending on how it is used. Bruce Lee is the best known master of Kiai.

A young couple, walking through Washington Square Park at night, became aware of 4 gang types trailing them. When thugs quickened their pace, the couple turned, facing them and released a best version of the Kiai. The thugs took off running. A loud scream, releasing extreme air power usually works to scare off attackers.

There’s a long distance between breath-holding and the Kiai. We’ve mentioned in previous chapters that breath-holding is a defense mechanism used to decrease outgoing and incoming stimuli and thereby control emotions. It’s impractical for the following reasons:

Aggravates stress

Creates a general dullness and lack of awareness

Produces contraction and retain incompatible energy that should be allowed to pass through the body. Interferes with communication

Causes the larynx to raise, which interferes with vocal production.

Exercise:

*Blow a vigorous, focused stream of air through slightly puckered lips. Blow as though trying to put out a small fire. Do this 10 times in succession.

*Release a two syllable sound: wuh-ah. It’s an expanding sound that is strongest in the middle of the sound as it moves from the wuh to the ah. Feel the body expand when releasing sound.

*Practice making loud, strong sounds that feel like they come from the guts.

*Google Kiai and you will find a large array of information on how to use the shout as a weapon.

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