I train sanchin daily at home and generally to 4 reps of the kata, first with no tension, second with a little more and the third with even more (however I wouldnt describe this as dynamic, goju style tension, I then finsih with the final rep with no tension again.

works for me.

Sanchin breathing? Stupid question: is this what mr Miyagi taught Daniel in Karate Kid 2? sorry, couldn't resist... but I really don't know what it is. I'll just ask my sensi.

My stomach was not hurting more my abs were sore. The only thing I was doing wrong was holding my breath too long and over worked my abs. Feel great today getting ready to go jump rope and a bit of Sanchin Breathing.

uechi ryu version is quicker breathing and faster technique delivery, same principles I beleive just faster application.

i'm new to the forum, but since sanchin is a big part about what i am writing my thesis on, i thought i'd throw in my 2 cents for you.


Sanchin translates as "Three Conflicts," "Three Battles," or "Three Gods;" the three conflicts referring to mind, body, and spirit. Sanchin brings these three together to create a state of enlightenment. Sanchin is a widely practiced kata, present with minor variants in Isshinryu, Goju-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, and Shotokan.

Its origin can be traced to the stationary breathing exercises performed by Buddhist monks at the original Shaolin Monastery. These breathing exercises were developed by Bodhidharma [buddha]to provide a regimen for the monks so that they would not fall asleep during long hours of meditation. These basic exercises were then expanded by the monks into a method of empty-hand combat so they could defend themselves and their monastery from invaders.

All movements are conducted in an isometric fashion with the emphasis given in strong ibuki breathing. During sanchin, the karateka uses the breath of the han. the breath of the han comes from the diaphragm and is used for power or tension movements as opposed the the breath of the su, which are used for taeszu or speed movements.

in shorei-ryu [cousin of shotokan] we perform sanchin with open hand movements to allow the flow of chi, unlike the closed fist used in goju.

this is an aesthetic kata using isometrics to strengthen mind body and spirit. you cannot achieve satori without knowing sanchin.

if i didn't answer what you were looking for, feel free to send me a pm, and i'll try to be more specific to your thoughts.


cheers,


sensei jon, 6th dan shorei-ryu

oops spoke too quickly. 3 conflicts are actually: birth, life death. mind, body spirit are 3 aspects of karate, just like kata, kumite, temeshawara

Hello Jon:

Welcome.

You will have a tough time finding any primary source materials for such a thesis. Many have debunked the Shaolin connections quite easily and well. Anticdotal stories sure, but anything resembling fact, evidence based, do not exist.

Satori, chi... if I were living in a culture which used such terms as a common, daily event, it might fly. However I think you will have a rough time using such terms for an academic paper. Su or han breathing as well. Prefer the breath of the Ching or the Manchu's myself

No offense intended, but you'll have to be very careful to use terminology which you can define and explain. Terms or a context which someone unfamiliar with them can make any sense of.

<<this is an aesthetic kata

A fascinating proposition. I think I can make a good case there is nothing but function to every single movement, and sequence? Nothing is remotely symbolic, or aesthetic per se. 100% funtional mechanics, and techniques, only to be used.

There are several distinct versions of Sanchin kata, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchin

What specifically is your thesis ?