Shaolin Breath control can be divided into internal and external exercises. Internal exercise for breath control is either practiced to keep fit and regulating the internal qi (vital energy), or as a means to subdue an enemy. An example is the one finger handstand. Anyone hit with that one finger will surely be seriously injured or might die.
External breath control is directing the internal qi by concentrating to a certain part of the body, thus giving it extraordinary strength, so powerful and incredible beyond anyone's imagination.
So if you ever see a monk who might be only hanging by his neck on a tree, hit in the abdomen with an iron staff, lifting a bicycle just with his teeth, breaking a brick with just one finger, or any other so-called impossible move or looking like it can only be done through artistic treatment in the movies, it's just all because of Shaolin Breath Control Techniques. Ancient exhortations once said, "Your efforts will be futile if you fail to combine boxing with breath control."