The Choice or How to Win in a Sword Fight

man wearing straw hat drawing his sword

In any situation, at any given moment, remember you have the choice.

You have the choice to respond how you think is befitting to you. You have the choice to choose what you focus on.

And you know what you should be focusing on when you get worked up?

Your breath. It all comes back to the breath.

In the art of Iado, the Japanese art of wielding a sword, breath is paramount. On the surface you may think breath has nothing to do with wielding a sword. However, it’s one of the most important aspects of sword fighting there is, in fact, it probably is the most important.

Why? Before we make our move, whatever move that may be, humans always take a breath. We always take in a gulp of air before we strike.

In one on one battles, the cue that the opponent would strike was their breath. If you could instead strike in the split second between their breath and their strike, you won. By the same token if you could learn to strike while controlling your breath, you won.

Most of all focusing on your breath shuts you up. It stops you from reacting rashly and gives you a buffer before you make your move.

Focusing on your breath gives you the choice. The choice to respond how you think is befitting to you. The choice to choose what you focus on.

ENJOYED THIS? HAVE MORE.

MOUNTAINS OF WISDOM

Subscribe to my yamabushi newsletter

RECENT BLOG POSTS

a white door with red lever above a warning sign
The Lever
black and white photo of clocks
Long-term Decisions
blank paper with pen and coffee cup on wood table
It’s not the coffee.

YAMABUSHI BLOG POSTS

photo of planner and writing materials
What to do with the off days
light workplace with laptop in office
Doing things you don’t feel like
The Holy Fool

RANDOM POSTS

Which country has a better environment for setting up a business? Japan or New Zealand?
bored formal man watching laptop at desk
Deadlines
Experience for the sake of experience
Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Get In Touch

Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan 

tim@timbunting.com

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading...
Scroll to Top
%d