Sanchin Kata
Sanchin is a form (also known as Kata) that exists in many styles of Karate. Master Chojun Miyagi is the creator of the Sanchin form.. With its roots in Southern China, it is no surprise that Sanchin is quite similar to a form that was developed in the Shaolin Temple, known as Samching.
Sanchin is difficult form, as it requires the practitioner to resist blows to specific parts of the body by a partner or teacher. The purpose of this is to develop strength and power, and measure the ability of the practitioner to resist the blows. The teacher or partner will also attempt to force the practitioner to lose their balance while in a stance, to check if they are planted on the ground. The Sanchin stance resembles an hour glass.
Sanchin is considered the epitome of a “hard” style, meaning meditation is acquired through external influences. The entire form should be ideally performed with the whole body rigid, which will protect the sensitive parts of the body from attack. A special breathing style is vital to maintain rigidity and tension, which consists of breathing in through the nose and exhaling out of the mouth. As a result, it is taxing.
Like many other forms that exist in the martial arts of Japan, Korea, and China, their practice is not only to improve self defence techniques and movements; it is also performed as a meditative exercise, to facilitate the flow of qi (chi, ki). Forms are a type of Qigong.