Could someone with personal experience of Sanchin breathing please explain this to me? I practice Shotokan karate so im not so fortunate as to be taught it like a Goju Ryu practitioner

nobody here can explain?

Ever study seisan the breathing is similier, deep slow breathing is how I do the Kata I'm not to fond of sanchin I prefer Kanku dai and chibana Kusanku.

[This message has been edited by AgenT (edited 11-10-2004).]

can you explain seisan in more depth?

Ok in the system of Karate I studied Seisan is a power kata. The whole body remains tense thoughout the kata, every muscle. Breathing is done deep like you were doing a powerblock. Breathing on strikes is very forcefull often completely emptying the lungs completely of air. The main concept in this kata is dynamic tension and defensive breathing incase you get hit. It also puts emphasis on strengh. It is alot like a tiger style kata. Powerfull forcefull movements designed to break right though blocks and defenses. Kanku Dai and Kusanku are the oppisite of seisan they use relaxed often whipping and circle movement as opposed to seisan which is linear movement.

It is the begining of Iron Body Training and Chi channeling, breathing as it is with most internal systems like Tai-chi, Pakua & Hising-i... is the heart of developing Chi.

Until this is realize it is a kata that build internal and external fitness. More details on each move would be mute because you don't know the form.

Sanchin breathing is a really quick inhale with a "blow through the straw" exhale. It aides in keeping your body really really tight while making sure you're not holding your breath. Our Sensei told me that although it isn't necessary to do the "hiss" on the exhale they teach it that way to make sure the students understand the exhale portion of the breathing.

Sanchin breathing is not quick it follows the movement of the arm. The tension performs an strengthen function of the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the entire body, it especially strengthens posture and leg muscles even the feet & toes if done properly.

The sequences are slow so as to concentrate on total body and corodinate movement with breathing. Usually in the intermediate stage the Kata performer is struck and slapped (on the forearm, shoulders, backside), kicked between the legs, thighs, stomach, boards broken on your fist, head, thighs, forearms, all this is ignored as you contiune rythmatically movement and breathing. You are eventually able to absorb punches/strikes to pressure points like solar plex, even repell the attacker away as if he has ran into a wall. This is developed from basic to shodan/intermediate level then you really start training. It is the basic of Gung-fu's Iron body training it is not a dance or just to get a trophy, its about vitally and health. It opens the door between your external/hard and Internal/soft training.

It is said that Hagashionna Master could stand in sanchin with two people on opposite sides, pulling on an obi looped around his neck he could not be choked out.

How often should a beginner to Sanchin breathing do it? I have done 3 reps of 3 for the last 4 days my stomach is sore form the work out. Am I over doing it the pain is not that great but i can tell its there. Should I cut back and let them rest.

You should not have pain. Abdominal muscles can be sore from workout but that's normal and should pass after a day. If you feel the abdominal muscles are hurting STOP training until you have recuperated.
Make sure you have properly warmed-up before sanchin practise (if I am not warmed-up enough I get cramps in my rib muscles).
What bothers me is that you have a sore feeling in the stomach. Check your breathing with your instructor. If the breathing is not correct (abdominal) you should not stress the muscles. If you keep breathing incorrect, stressing the muscles, you will get health problems.
A simple test is to stress the abdominal muscles at virtual maximum and then check your breathing. You should be able to breath in and out without loosing the stress on abdominal muscle. If you feel you can not hold it, or that you are holding your breath to keep the stress, breathing is wrong. In that case, STOP training on your own and seek help from your instructor.