KARATE FORM (SANCHIN)

Sanchin is a Kata in Karate and Kata is a Japanese word for a set of Patterned movements, which basically consists of a series of kicks, punches and throws. In essence it's a form which a person practice's slowly and powerfully.

In the form the metaphor used is that your trying to imitate the characteristics of a tree and In making yourself like a tree you are rooting yourself to the spot. In performing this routine you keep your back straight. Your legs should be the roots of the tree and your arms the branches of the tree. In some styles of Karate everything comes from the Sanchin form. Within the form is meant to be a complete fighting system, basically all the elements of a fight should be in it. When practising this form the person moves forward three steps and backward three steps, doing a series of punches, blocks, counters etc. Ideally you would practice this form with two people, one in front of you and one behind you and their job would be to test you while you are performing the movements.

When moving backward, your stride naturally becomes shorter than when you are moving forward. When you move forward three steps and then move back three steps, it is important to return to your original position. When moving back concentrate on your heels, soles of your feet, knees, and back muscles. This practice is good for lower back problems. The feet must grip the floor rooting yourself firmly to the ground Concentrate all your energy in your center which is around the area of your belly button.

When moving slide the foot smoothly and in a circular motion forward or backward as if your feet was searching for something. Your toes and knees should be turned in slightly and your knees bent over your toes. There are three basic types of breathing in Sanchin Kata, all of which being abdominal.

When training is Sanchin you are breathing very deeply thus increasing the oxygen supply to the body as well as to the brain. With this the brain and nervous system become particularly sharp and more aware. This heightened awareness allows the student to improve his concentration, power and focus when executing each technique. This deep breathing stimulates the diaphragm which causes it to work more efficiently.

It also helps to stimulate the stomach, Liver, Pancreas, kidneys and intestines to become more active, therefore becoming stronger. In Sanchin the constant state of tension is maintained in all the joints of the body for a prolonged period and develops physical strength, stamina and breath control.

In this form you are learning to explode the movements powerfully from various positions. You have two eyes but they see only one picture, you have two ears but they only hear one sound. That is the way to look at your hands and feet when performing your movements.