In Jiu Jitsu, one minute everything’s good, the next you’re leaving solid ground, your feet no longer connected to the mat.

Your opponent has thrown you, as you realise what happened, time slows down, your thinking, sh*t this is going to hurt, protect your ribs, try and break the fall, it’s too late, crack, you hit the mat, it feels like concrete,

The air you had in your lungs is ejected, you pause a split second to check damage, but you shouldn’t have paused, your opponent is crashing down to gain control of a crushing top position.

You haven’t took a breath, and now you’re being smothered, a face full of thick, rough gi, nose and mouth blocked, desperate, you turn your face trying to find a gap to take that long-needed breath of air,

It’s hot, it feels like you’re in an oven, the pressure in your head is building, you’re thinking, I’m toast, I should tap out,

But then you find it, the frantic search is over, daylight a cavity to place a single nostril,

You breathe in fast at first, you need that oxygen, you take a second breath and slowly let it out, you smile, you think to yourself, “I got you now fuc*er, I’m charging then coming for you”

Consistent Practice

Having control of your breath is crucial in any stressful situation; it takes consistent practice of conscious use of the breath to keep you primed for when it matters.