Connections between martial arts and gardening: cutting hands, and core strength

Don't know where else this would go!

I have been noticing more and more the connection between the body discipline of martial arts and garden labor.  I wrote something about it and would be interested in other opinions or observations.

Connections between martial arts and gardening: cutting hands, and core strength

I read your blog when you first posted this and liked what you have to say, but didn't have a response.  And now I do, I think. 

I don't actually practice an eastern martial art, but I practice the eastern movement art of Yoga.  And there are many similarities in these disciplines.  One thing that you didn't mention in your blog that I *think?* is important in martial arts is the breath pattern of the practitioner. (maybe not all of them?  Like I said, not my area of expertise.)  I'm thinking of the "HA!" that accompanies karate chops (sorry, I know, it's stereotypical but I have a point I'm getting to).  It's an audible version of a forceful exhale. 

Control and awareness of breath is central to a yoga practice.  Forceful exhales can focus the release of energy. A chopping downward motion with a forceful exhale to support it is going to also be less of a strain to the body over the course of a day.  There's a whole lot of core power in the diaphragm muscle. 

I find myself doing this unconsciously when I'm using a mattock and a shovel especially.  Except, I usually exhale on the lifting part of the shoveling move. 

From what I've read ninja's were originated as farmers, peasants, and societal castaways. According to one source I found "It was developed by mountain-dwelling families in an area not unlike the American Appalachians, where the terrain is rugged and remote. Ninja families were great observers of nature. They felt a close connection to the Earth, similar to the Native Americans, and their lifestyle was one that lived according to the laws of Nature, not against it. Ninja were also very spiritual people, and their beliefs became an integral part of Ninjutsu."

Many  ninja weapons were modified from farm sickles, saws for wood cutting, pruning shears, etc. If discovered, these items would not give away a ninja's identity.