This morning I began re-reading what Farmer Burns wrote back in 1914 on the subject of strength. Every time I re-read his words, I am blown away at how he had the truth well over 100 years ago – yet today, far too many people are still clueless.
For example, take this quote: “Breathing exercises alone, if done RIGHT, will make many a weak man strong and many a sick man well.”
Profound, eh? Reminds me of how I used deep breathing several years ago to heal an ailment – as well as how I’ve used it to increase strength, flexibility and speed.
Then there is this passage: “… in following lessons I shall explain clearly and fully why no man or woman can build up a strong, healthy body without RIGHT BREATHING, and I shall endeavor to make you see and appreciate, as I do, the VITAL IMPORTANCE of this tremendously vital subject.”
Not only did the Farmer use his teachings to train future world wrestling champion, Frank Gotch, but he regularly performed strength feats that are beyond the level of the Shaolin monks, most notably, the hangman’s drop (which is not something I recommend anyone try), regardless of neck size and/or strength.
By the way, I must mention, the Farmer had an 18″ neck at a bodyweight of 165 pounds, so I guess can say he knew what he was doing strength-wise, can’t we?
Farmer Burns was on the physical culture scene many years before Charles Atlas. So it’s possible that Atlas’ course was inspired, in part, by the Farmer’s. During that era, people understood that you cannot become a great wrestler or boxer or fighter of any sort, without great conditioning methods.
Burns, unlike Atlas, wasn’t a bodybuilder. He focused on functional strength, speed and stamina – but he combined these teachings with the idea of creating superior health.
I continue to learn a ton about strength, health and fitness from Farmer Burns course. I have not only studied it in earnest, I keep going back to it.
How on earth did Burns, for example, do the hangman’s drop and not get injured, much less put himself six feet under?
Well, the Farmer doesn’t reveal the secret to his hanging stunt in the course, but when it comes to flattening your stomach and giving yourself washboard abs, that six-pack look, as well as increasing overall body strength and speed, he most definitely does.
After I began practicing the exercises the ole Farmer taught for flattening your midsection and increasing speed and power in your hands, it was only a matter of days before people noticed that I looked and moved differently.
And that’s when I began to realize I must do my part to make this course available to people throughout the world. Why? Because the exercises are simple yet profound. And because you don’t need much room to move, they can be taken with you anywhere.
The exercises don’t require a gym or an investment in fitness machines, gizmos or gadgets. In fact, once you have the exercises in mind, they are with you for life. No one can ever take them away from you.
And the most important exercise in the course can be done in the shower, while sitting in a chair or while waiting at a traffic light. You can do it while lying in bed or as you stand in line in a store. You can do it while cooking or talking on the phone.
It’s truly amazing when you think of the versatility of an exercise that focuses on how you breathe and tighten specific muscle groups.
It feels almost miraculous when you consider the positive effects, not only on your waistline, but on your digestion. Years ago I referred to these breathing exercises as a type of “cosmic fiber” and I still use that term today.
You can begin doing these exercises immediately when you leaf through Farmer Burnsclassic Lessons in Wrestling and Physical Culture.
With your order we will also send you an autographed copy of “yours truly” on the cover of an MMA magazine.
Let’s Go…
Matt Furey
P.S. For those of you interested in submission grappling or olde-time catch wrestling, I recommend getting the full blown Farmer Burns video course – where I take everything in the 12-lesson printed course and give it even more LIFE, which isn’t easy.
