Breathe and focus

As you focus on something, breathe out. This makes so much sense. For example, in Taekwondo where a practitioner's goal is usually to kick or punch something, you are taught to breathe out as you punch or kick. This also focuses your energy into that technique and can make for some very spectacular kihaps as well. But, in T'ai Chi, where the focus is on defense, one breathes out as one deflects an incoming blow. This makes perfect sense. Not only are you focusing more intently on defense, you are creating a slightly smaller target and even if the person does make contact with the blow, you are already collapsing your chest and lungs, thus, it lessens the force of the impact. Less energy is transferred into your body at the moment of impact because your body is already contracting. Instead of trying to puff up and take or resist the blow, you're going with it. It makes so much sense, IF you are focusing on defense.