Sanchin Kata and Qigong

[Thomas A. Green]

Assuming that it's performed correctly (right breath, right mind, etc.), is the Goju-ryu kata Sanchin adequate for the cultivation of qi/chi?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Tom

[Yarinage Sensei]

In a word "YES"!

I could relate numerous stories through the decades. Personal ones included, but since each and every one of us is different and unique, the results and time factors involved in developing and maturing our qi/chi/ki will differ significantly.

When applying the proper attitude, Fukyu / Taikyoku / or the Juni Kata can be instrumental in your personal development of qi/chi/ki.

Each kata or form you know or learn can be a significant "key" to unlocking your ki (no pun intended).

It all begins with proper attitude toward training. Remember, only you can develop your internal power. Following the guidance of those who have gone before you will always be a beacon, so choose your teachers wisely, but use the tools you already have...why look for another hammer, unless the one you have in your hand is too big or too small for the job. MASTER what you have first, then move forward.

Maintain your path, follow your destiny. Stray only long enough to learn and gain experience, then return to YOUR path. Journey wisely.

[Thomas A. Green]

Thanks for the response. I agree and appreciate your insights.

The trigger for this question is Kris Wilder's book The Way of Sanchin Kata.

Wilder argues that this kata is unique and goes on to break it down into everything from its effect on different areas of the brain to its connections to the breathing patterns of internal Chinese Martial Arts to the operation of the endocrine system and the kata's emphasis of principle over technique.

Wilder even contends that in traditional Okinawan curricula Sanchin was designed to be taught in conjunction with only one or two other forms as a complete system. This is why Motobu Choki, according to legend, practiced only Sanchin and Naihanchi. This is almost certainly folklore, but it is probably meant to emphasize the belief that Sanchin is unlike any other karate form and can develop qualities that complete any other external techniques. And, isn't that what we believe about qigong practice?

[Ron Mottern]

Kiko usually has 3 essential elements: body, breath and mind.

The body goal in kiko is to perform movements correctly, that is, in a way that optimizes tension, relaxation and blood flow in the body. It is said that ki doesn't flow through tense muscles or locked joints. It is also said that blood carries ki, which is another way of saying that blood carries oxygen. Since blood flow is inhibited through tense muscle and locked joints, oxygen flow (ki) is inhibited, as well.

The breath goal of kiko is to regulate breathing in such a way as to facilitate proper tension and relaxion of the body. Breathing may be "regular" (inhale abdomen out/exhale abdomen in, also known as Buddhist breathing) or "reverse" (inhale abdomen in/tense/exhale abdomen out, also known as Taoist breathing).

The mind goal of kiko is to visualize ki flowing through the body in vaious pathways (microcosmic orbit, macrocosmic orbit, etc.) It is said that the mind leads the ki. In Korea the saying is "where the mind goes, energy flows." The mental visualization eventually acts to "prime" the circuit so that it preceeds the action and allows the action to flow smoothly (envision cleaning a corroed circuit). There may also be other elements to this (see my article on Hypnosis and Martial Arts attached to something somewhere on the site)

Sanchin (as done in Goju Ryu) accomplishes all of these functions and is essential for kiko development. It is also well to remember that Sanchin may be done with both regular and reverse breathing and as a kiko kata or a fighting kata, depending on the goal of the training. Sanchin body positioning is designed to create tension and relaxation at certain points in the body. Sanchin breathing is designed to facilitate that function. Sanchin thinking is designed to bind the three as one and coordinate both body movement and breathing. Miyagi Chojun apparently altered the breathing patterens and purpose of Sanchin as is generally taught. According to Higaonna Morio, Higa(shi)onna Kanryo changed the kata from open hand to closed fist but kept the reverse breathing and fighting orientation. Miyagi changed the breathing and focus of the form. While both forms of the kata are currently done in Goju Ryu, the Miyagi version predominates.

Sanchin in Chinese styles, such as Feeding Crane, is done very differently than in Okinawan styles. The form uses a different type of energy (trembling/shaking energy). Tashi Price has some video clips on the site where he demonstrates this type of kiko training. While this energy isn't used in the Miyagi Sanchin kata, it may still be found in the Higa(shi)onna version and the other fighting kata.

It is also good to remember that Sanchin is a training method and not a kata, per se. The basic Goju Ryu kata is the beginning of the training method. Yang Jwing Ming's Muscle Tendon Changing/Marrow Brain Washing Classic is a good blueprint for the Sanchin method and explains why Sanchin was often referred to as 3 year Sanchin (although Yang never mentions Sanchin by name, to my recollection, he is talking about the same practice).

Is this a start on what you're looking for? I have more....

[Thomas A. Green]

Thanks Ron. And I always thought that Sanchin was just an excuse for you to beat on me with sticks :-). This is exactly what i was looking for. Uh, the information, not the beatings.

In addition to Feeding Crane, there is also the Sam Chien (no coincidence) Hsing in Five Ancestor Fist Quanfa that uses trembling energy. Alexander Co's Five Ancestor Fist Kung Fu gives a very basic introduction to the form, but leaves out the refinements you mention above. The book also has an interesting segment on the Goju connection, some speculations on Bagwa's influence, and other goodies.

Yes, please continue.

[Ron Mottern]

I have heard that each kata may be viewed as it's own system when combined with the Sanchin method. It used to be vogue to not teach anyone all a system's kata unless they were the successor of the style. Higaonna and Miyagi only taught Sanchin and then what the student could absorb, which from what I understand about Miyagi was EVERYTHING or you didn't move on. He seems to have relaxed this mentality after WWII and the death of Shinzato Jin'an (whom Miyagi had apparently picked as his successor). While I'm not sure that Sanchin along with each kata can be viewed as it's own system, if you apply Guro Thomas Lomax's (of Silat) paradigm of lock-block/blow-throw/counter-compression to each move (including transitions) in a kata, you're certainly looking at a lifetime of study applying kasai to only a few kata.

These days, I have seen Naihanchi done with dynamic tension (by Okinawa masters, not youtube warriors). I don't know if this was the old habit and just not often taught or whether this is a new innovation in Shuri-te based systems. Since Sanchin is a method, I suppose it could be transfered to a different form AND still be considred kiko. Toguchi Seikichi stated that Sanchin was practiced by all martial arts at one time. Given that the goal is kiko and use of mind and breath to bring about optimal use of the body and its inherent energy, this seems likley. (Although I'll go out on a limb here and say that I'm pretty sure that the cavemen didn't call it Sanchin, Toguchi ws probably referring to organized combative systems).

Was it practiced by cavemen? I say yes, naturally. That is, as Sanchin is the bodies optimal, natural functioning, they would have used it. We have statuary from Sumer and Babylonia (although 4000 BCE is hardly a caveman!) with body forms that in the exact positioning as those found in Sanchin practice today and in such state as to represent the functions of Sanchin (or at least the pose) as an energy form, e.g., Pazuzu statue.

Eight Pieces of Brocade (one of the best kiko forms I know) is a collection of movements that the body natually assumes to build energy. If you pay attention, you will probably find yourself using these positions when you try to wake up in the morning or revive yourself during the day. Whoever assembled the exercises (Marshal Yueh Fei?!) did just that, they assembled them. They didn't create them.

The goal of Sanchin as a fighting based art is to build and focus all that energy like a laser beam (or like a magnifying glass focusing a beam of sunlight on your ant-like adversary). The kiko can be practised w/o martial content, which, as you know, is a state of mind. The goal of Sanchin traing can just be energy training with the goal of health and happiness. This includes the trembling/shaking energy.

A good beginning practice method for that is to do it in the shower before you dry off. When you don't need to use the towel to dry off anymore, you are ready for the next trial. Just kidding. When you can do that you've arrived.

I'll have to check out Co's book. Thanks!