How many practice Sanchin Kata?

[Goju1]

Following on a similar post discussing the perceived harm of Sanchin, I am wondering how many of you out there practice Sanchin Kata at your dojo, and if so at what age, or rank, are you allowed to start? Let us know your style and briefly what your Sanchin performance is like.

 

Thanks, Bruce

[Knockdown]

Students start working on Sanchin at about 6th Kyu.

 

(typical time in training would be approx 1.5 years)

 

We train in Kyokushin karate.

 

Sanchin kata uses Ibuki breathing.

[Goju1]

We start at 3rd Kyu (1st brown belt), about 2 years into training, and I think you must be 18.

[fireka]

i dont think my style studies it, why? what harm can it do?

[gheinisch]

We practice Sanchin in our system at purple belt (4th kyu). The ibuki breathing is very important in this kata. At higher grades the sensei's will test the person doing sanchin by applying pressure to their arms and legs to test how strong the stance is (it should not move) and also might punch and kick the performer at the certain points during the kata. This is where the breathing is very important. I've seen on some shows where boards are broken over arms and backs during this kata. This may be the unhealthy part of this kata.

[Solo]

I study Sanchin aswell. They begin teaching it when the student reaches 3rd Kyu (Brown)..and honestly, I don't see it as being unhealthy

[Goju1]

At higher grades the sensei's will test the person doing sanchin by applying pressure to their arms and legs to test how strong the stance is (it should not move) and also might punch and kick the performer at the certain points during the kata. This is where the breathing is very important. I've seen on some shows where boards are broken over arms and backs during this kata. This may be the unhealthy part of this kata.

 

Yes, the sensei will usually strike or kick to make sure the appropriate muscles are contracted, including a kick to the groin from behind to make sure you're in correct sanshin stance This sure helps your focus and you usually don't end up in the wrong stance more than once

[RedDragon]

We learn Sanchin at 4th Kyu (Orange Belt)

[chris10]

i study Isshinryu and we started studying sanchin as our second kata@ yellow belt. this kata takes years to master so why wait to start learning it. even the kids in our class start learnign Sanchin at yellow.

[Sauzin]

In the first style I studied, Go-Ju-Ryu, Sanchin was the first kata taught. It was practiced by everyone for as long as they should happen to live. In the style I currently work in now (Okinawan Kenpo from Seikichi Odo) Sanchin is learned at the black belt level. Usually one of the last kata taught. Odo’s Sanchin is very different from the Go-Ju version. It doesn’t turn around, the dynamic tension is cumulative working harder and harder in circular motions, and the ending is very original. In the school which I work under Sanchin is not emphasized and is not practiced by those over 50.