The Trouble in Sanchin

Mondai [問題] De [で] Sanchin [三戦]


Arises only when performing the kata incorrectly and the hard dynamic tension most use is not appropriate for correct Sanchin.


Dynamic tension is not to strengthen our musculature, it is a means to create only an amount of tension so when touched or slapped the sensei feels the underlying tension which is our bodies natural protective armor. Think of it as clenching the muscle momentarily then relaxing. 


Hard dynamic tensioning overworks the muscles and “WASTES” energy. If you are training with stability and strength you don’t need hard dynamic tensioning nor do you need or want the hard breathing 😮‍💨 often used because it create way to much tension in the diagram which is counterintuitive to stable stabilization of our musculature system which promotes bad physiokinetics leading to injuries and wasted energy that bleeds off in parts of the body allowing things to go wrong. 


As an example, “I witnessed a senior first-gen demonstrating a vertical strike and noticed right off they were “muscling it”. A bit later I noticed his application wasn’t adhering to proper physiokinetic principles (his elbow was out of alignment because he was muscling it and allowing the arm and elbow to misalign trying to force it causing a strain injury.” This was a direct violation of the principle of stability and overcompensation of fundamental principles wasting energy in the performance of a technique rather than applying it properly to allow all that energy to flow naturally into the intended target 🎯.


Think positive relaxation of the powder coupled with a momentary dynamic tension at specific points in sanchin. Keep in mind your training has already developed muscular strength so that tension is merely a trigger telling the muscles to flex and relax because if you adhere to fundamental principle as well as stability it will be a balanced use of energy, power and force.


I suspect you, the reader, have perceived the strong need to find one who is experienced in expertise in sanchin to ensure proper encoding of sanchin is achieved. 


Knowledge is power!

Chishiki wa chikara [知識は力]


https://tinyurl.com/4k55m8uk


“The fact that the Sanchin kata used to be performed on Okinawa in a period from 18 months until up to two years says enough about its importance. Today, it is learnt for about four months and sometimes even a lot shorter. This is the reason why its performance is often incorrect.” - BB article linked above


“The basic elements (fundamental concepts) that we gain by exercizing the Sanchin kata are a correct and firm posture (balance and especially stability), correct movements by maintaining excellent balance, a good contraction and release (ergo the above article) as well as a perfect synchronization of the musculature, an excellent breathing control and a special exercize for mental concentration (balance and stability of mind, body, and spirit).”


… the posture of the practitioner seems softer and more relaxed. …


… In Karate the breathing is deeper, slower and oriented towards the abdomen (Ibuki), … note: which does not require or need the hard strained breathing one can see done today.


… The research didn't snow how the practice affects the proper contraction and relaxation of the musculature, …


… Unfortunately, some gymnasts exaggerate with this test and this type of checking, thinking that the gymnast who can bear the strongest hits is the best practitioner of the kata. There is no special reason for this because this may or may not be the case in practicing the Sanchin kata.  


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