Sanchin Kata

I would like to provide some information on heishu kata for those who study karate. Heishu kata means fundamental kata. In Goju-Ryu, you have to develop your mind and body by doing Sanchin kata before entering the way of karate. Stand firm and straight with stable stance, hands positioned properly and breathing harmoniously. Stand like this and you will feel Sanchin ecstasy. This is is the stationary version of Sanchin kata. There is also a moving version of the Sanchin kata that is also called Papurin. Usually we refer to both versions as Sanchin. When performing Sanchin kata, concentrate your attention on the tanden, a point just below the navel, the back of the head and the buttocks. Tuck your chin in and lift the back of your head high. Charge tanden with energy. Tuck your buttocks in. These three points are not independent from each other, but are interrelated. I have heard that the principles of Sanchin are the same as Zazen or other quite sitting exercises.

---Chojun Miyagi