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Breathing variations

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Phil Blackmar
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Breathing variations

#1

Post by Phil Blackmar »

I have been experimenting lately with breathing variations in casting and it has been very interesting. First, I have to say I have trained myself using a box breathing technique which involves breathing in for a count of 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4 and so on. I have coupled this with focus routines to develop the skill of relaxed concentration which is very useful in competition.

I have pinpointed two variations which have been most interesting:

1. Breathe in at the end of the forward cast, then immediately breathe out smoothly during the back cast then hold during the forward stroke. This seems to provide a very quiet mental space making it easier to narrow focus and relax. It also seems to lead to a more focused presentation than the next method.

2. Breathe in on the back stroke then begin breathing out just before the forward stroke begins. I'm not sure why, but this method seems to fit a more subconscious and reactive focus. The act of focusing on the breathe may distract the mind enough to allow the cast without as much conscious awareness.

I would think the second method would be best for most casters, but, since I have trained in relaxed focus and meditation, I find the first method more comfortable for me. Have any of you experimented with this?
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Paul Arden
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Re: Breathing variations

#2

Post by Paul Arden »

Hi Phil,

Interesting. Yes I have. For me on distance casting I go on a three cast cycle, and want to breathe out on the delivery. My thinking there is I might blow the fluff further :laugh:

So I go in-hold-out-in-hold-out.

It’s very important to remember to breathe when stripping line. That’s where I get out of breath otherwise.

I’m happy to try other techniques. I’ll try yours tomorrow. 👍

Have you read the book “Breath” by the way? Totally fascinating and one of my students put me on to it. It’s his job actually!

Cheers, Paul
It's an exploration; bring a flyrod.

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Taylor8
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Re: Breathing variations

#3

Post by Taylor8 »

I haven’t tried a breathing program during casting but makes a lot of sense to me. I recall getting out of breath while distance casting, wasn’t breathing! I’ll give this a shot.

My casting practice these days has focused more on the mental side than anything else. Practicing meditation, box breathing, quiet eye focus, etc. I once asked a successful Florida Keys tournament angler if he had any suggestions for tournament prep and his response was meditation - wasn’t expecting that at the time but I certainly agree now.

Not related to breathing but staying calm in the moment, I recently listened to a podcast with a weight lifting competitor. He mentioned that when his heart started racing and anxiety was building ahead of a lift, he would tell himself this is what it felt to be alive and then enjoy the feeling. A simple change of mindset can have profound effects.

Phil - really appreciate you relating your golf experiences to fly casting and passing along these helpful tips. Love the YouTube sessions you did with Paul and the Laguna Podcast!
Phil Blackmar
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Re: Breathing variations

#4

Post by Phil Blackmar »

Paul-I'll be curious to hear what you find and if there is a difference for you as with me. You have such a small window in which to throw at a competition, so little time to prepare on scene right before you're up, it would seem being prepared, staying in the mental state you want, being impervious to distractions and having a good handle on how to enable subconscious concentration can be a huge difference maker in performance. This breathing routine may fit nicely into a quality routine.

Taylor-Preparation is key. Meditation helps prepare you for the moment if it is more than just listening to Jimmy Buffett and imagining the world is a happy place. That type of meditation falls short once you're on the blocks. Breathing, in this case, differs as it is a tool during the competition performance to help you concentrate more effectively and possibly remove distractions while staying more in the subconscious space of your mind. ....Thank you for the nice comments, also.

Thanks
Phil
Phil Blackmar
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Re: Breathing variations

#5

Post by Phil Blackmar »

Hey Taylor-

A funny story along the meditation lines. I was playing with Jay Haas in the final round of the Sr. PLayers Championship and he was leading by one shot when he teed off on 18. It was a very difficult long par 4 with out of bounds just off the left side of the fairway and 6" rough on the right. Jay stepped up and smoked his tee shot down the middle and, after calmly picking up his tee, looked at his caddie and asked "so what football games did you bet on tonight?" LOL. It was a Sr major championship and he was in full Jimmy Buffet mode...Amazing....very very few can do that.


Thanks
Phil
Taylor8
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Re: Breathing variations

#6

Post by Taylor8 »

Now that’s staying cool and calm under pressure! And a reminder to keeps thing light on the boat.

The caddie/golfer relationship seems similar to guide/angler. I’d imagine one of the roles of a good caddie is to keep their golfer calm and relaxed. Same goes for a guide on a flats skiff. I’m sure many of us have experienced the guide who’s getting more excited than you when a fish shows up and starts barking out conflicting orders, that never helps. I once had to tell a guide to give me the chance to fail!

But easier said than done. I’m not a guide but would make a terrible one because I get way too excited when I’m informally guiding friends and family!
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Re: Breathing variations

#7

Post by Mangrove Cuckoo »

I've not tried box breathing for fly casting. But I do it often when crawling into my jungle hammock out in the 'glades. I find it is best not to dwell on the consequences of the weird situation I've put myself in.

Usually, after about four times around the box, I'm asleep.

It works in a bed too.
With appreciation and apologies to Ray Charles…

“If it wasn’t for AI, we wouldn’t have no I at all.”
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