Grounding, Circular Flux and Sanchin Kata
Posted: Sunday, June 27, 2010
by Al Case
http://www.alcasebooks.com/
Perhaps you have encountered the old saying...'If you don't know Sanchin, you don't know Karate.' It happens that this saying is entirely true. It is true because when done correctly Sanchin kata results in a liberation of combat useful energy beyond any form known.
The form was originally migrated to Okinawan from China, where it was part of a school called Pan Gai Noon. While PGN is no longer around, that first kata is taught in such systems as Goju Ryu and Uechi ryu. It has also been altered and taught in Shotokan based systems as the Hangetsu form.
In Uechi Ryu Sanchin, which is the first manifestation of this form beyond the Chinese Pan Gai Noon, the emphasis is on building muscular tension. Thus, the intent of the sanchin stance is changed from the creation (and dropping) of energy to the creation of muscle. Muscle is temporary compared to energy, and thus the form is changed and made less effective.
In Goju ryu Sanchin the intent of the form is to develop proper breathing. Thus, the purpose of the form is to create the sensation of hard chi energy in the body, but without the emphasis on sinking the weight the reality of such energy is forsaken. At this point one can perceive that the Sanchin form has been altered until it is but a shadow of what it should be...the story gets worse, however.
In Shotokan, and like systems of classical martial arts, the actual structure of the form has been rendered into simplistic self defense techniques. Mind, there is nothing wrong with this type of martial structure, except that it has nothing to so with the generation of serious intrinsic energy. The form in these later schools is called Hangetsu.
To be done correctly. this incredible form must be returned to simple instruction, and simple concepts. One must throw out notions of breathing and muscularity and self defense except as they are drawn along by the sheer fact of energy generation. Thus, the simple instruction, "sink the weight, and 'swirl' the motion so that it creates a wave of energy which circles the body and shoots out the arm," is the only instruction one needs.
Done with this easy instruct, for months and years, the generation of internal energy becomes real, and the internal energy becomes usable. Though the author would not propose combat as a solution, it must be remembered that Kanbun Uechi, the founder of Uechi ryu and a man who had studied the actual Sanchin in the manner recommended in this article, killed a man with one strike. No, don't kill people, but do realize the true depth and power of the martial arts by practicing sanchin kata by sinking the weight and swirling the body so that energy may be developed and used.
There are articles and courses at Monster Martial Arts which will help you return Sanchin Kata to its original depth and power. Pick up a free ebook while you're at Monster Martial Arts . 4 2
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)I enjoyed reading this, Al. for me it was a really nice illustration that if I learn to optimize my energy for the sake of harmony, my power is available to defend my if you need to. If I learn to use it for the purpose of attacking, something is lost.
Al I don't know what happened, I gave you 5 stars.
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