Kata Sanchin and Performance Breathing

[myk hendrix]

G'day,

I realised something interesting this morning during practice of Sanchin. Following the fundamental instructions for the Kata - Lengthen the spine by posture correction, curl your hips by tensing your ab's and gluetes on the exhale, co-ordinate movement with breathing.

Sound familiar ?

The only adjustment I have made is to allow passive inhalation instead of emphasising a hard in-breath... however I believe that was an adjustment made by Sendai Miyagi's successors. That is speculation based on a scroll penned by him that says "In Goju - Exhalation represents hardness and Inhalation represents softness". Sorry I don't have the source, I'm just going from memory.

Good info about Miyagi is here http://seinenkai.com/salute-miyagi.html

The more I learn of the Okinawan old school masters, the deeper my respect for them goes. He was also an advocate of CST through the "Chi-Ishi", which looks like a short piece of broom handle with a concrete disc of varying thicknesses at one end. No doubt ya'll knew about that already though.

Has anyone taken this correlation between Performance Breathing and Kata Sanchin further than my BFO ? ( :shock: Blinding Flash of the Obvious :shock: )

There's another place in which I hope to experiment further, where the outbreath is emphasised... Laughter.

Just thinking out loud.
Mike Hendrikse

[JasonE]

The only adjustment I have made is to allow passive inhalation instead of emphasising a hard in-breath... however I believe that was an adjustment made by Sendai Miyagi's successors. That is speculation based on a scroll penned by him that says "In Goju - Exhalation represents hardness and Inhalation represents softness".

It sure sounds like he meant the inhalation to be natural, rather than hard. You might have recovered something that was lost along the way.

[Van Canna]

Hi Myk,

Interesting post. We have had similar discussions on another forum with Coach Sonnon’s great input.

I am an 8th Dan in Uechi-ryu karate.

The typical breathing in Uechi is to not breathe at all with the strike, or effort, but to do a short soft exhale after the thrust, kick etc.

Some Uechi masters are capable of generating much power with this breathing method.

However, I prefer the sharp exhale at the Kime point [focus point] at the end of the thrust.. I follow Coach’s breathing methods in my practice and have found an increase in shock power in striking and blocking.

Like you, on the inhale, my body is soft but centered, coiling for the release with explosive breath. 8)

[myk hendrix]

Hi Jason,

I would never pretend to have recovered something that was lost... might make for a good blurb on a self-promoting website :lol:

It was more a case of reading that passage and making the connection in my head somewhere along the line. It does feel a lot better though !

Admittedly the tape I have seen of Higaonna Sensei's students working the hard inhalation were miles more polished than my efforts, and i'm sure they have their reasons. It's just not for me at this stage.

and Van,

Uechi Ryu 8th Dan !! :shock:

I have all the respect in the world for Uechi, some of your elder Sensei - like Hanshi Seiko Toyama ( http://www.alandollar.com/uechi/hist_toyama.htm ) are in incredible physical condition. Where can I find out more about why/how they got that way ? What are the philosophies that lead to such dedication. Truly impressive in an age that tolerates Martial Art instructors that look like a "hazards of too much fast food" billboard.

Would it be too much hassle to ask you copy the discussion from the other forum, or point me in the right direction if it is a public domain ?

Do you completely empty your lungs on the exhale cycle with the sharp out breaths... i've been warned against that for long term health reasons, what is your opinion ?


I dig this forum :wink:
Mike Hendrikse

[myk hendrix]

Van,

Another quick point :-

I find that when i'm striking impact targets that i do a quick exhale just prior or as i'm letting fly with the technique, much like a kickboxer. This appears to fit with the idea of applying the motion on the control pause.

Could you please expand on your point ?

"The typical breathing in Uechi is to not breathe at all with the strike, or effort, but to do a short soft exhale after the thrust, kick etc. "

Thankyou for your help as i chew this over,
Mike Hendrikse

[Van Canna]

Myk..Go here for some discussion on Sanchin breathing…good comments by coach Sonnon as well.

http://forums.uechi-ryu.com/viewtopic.php?t=11378

And here for some information about Uechi history and Toyama sensei…note the video clip where he breaks boards with the tips of his toes at age 74.

http://forums.uechi-ryu.com/viewtopic.php?t=11267

Ø Where can I find out more about why/how they got that way ? What are the philosophies that lead to such dedication. Truly impressive in an age that tolerates Martial Art instructors that look like a "hazards of too much fast food" billboard. <

A great source for this information, is Gordi Breyette sensei, heading the Zankai group on Okinawa under Toyama sensei. He is very accommodating and a real gentleman..he will be happy to help.

Contact him at

G. Seizan Breyette

E-mail Address(es):

breyettg@ii-okinawa.ne.jp

Regards,

[Van Canna]

> Find that when I’m striking impact targets that i do a quick exhale just prior or as I’m letting fly with the technique, much like a kick boxer. This appears to fit with the idea of applying the motion on the control pause. <

I also like to practice to sharply exhale just prior to “target impact” which is in keeping with the “control pause” theory, but I could never get used to breathing out first then striking. In my years of competition during the sixties, I performed best in tournaments by a sharp exhale or kiai as I scored a hit.

> Could you please expand on your point?

"The typical breathing in Uechi is to not breathe at all with the strike, or effort, but to do a short soft exhale after the thrust, kick etc. " <

The discussion link I gave you explains the concept.
:)

[myk hendrix]

Thankyou Van,

I have done as you suggested and there is lots of info to play with.

I have also Emailed Breyette Sensei.

Appreciative,
Mike Hendrikse

[rcoyle]

I just came across this thread the other day. Hi Sensei Canna I am Rick Coyle and one of Jim Maloney’s students from Nova Scotia and have had the honor of you presiding on the Board for 3 of my gradings.

I have read the thread you referred to re Sanchin Breathing which was a comprehensive and informative discussion. I remember when I first started studying Uechi-ryu the only breathing instruction given was to keep your breathing down and avoid breathing on the thrust. My first detailed education on breathing came from Sensei David Mott when I spent 5 weeks in Toronto in 1990. He taught a form of reverse breathing which involved pushing the abdomen out on the exhale and allowing the inhale to happen without trying to. We would keep our tongue touching the roof of our mouth and make a tsst sound as we pressurized the lower abdomen on the exhale . When I came back to Kentville and continued my practice without Sensei Mott’s supervision I had begun to close the glottis and found my breathing didn’t happen naturally and would choke on the occasional tsst’s.
After finding Coach Sonnon’s forum and ordering his “BeBreathed program” I eliminated the tsst’s and focused on the exhale, keeping the glottis open while pressing into my belt with my waist with each exhale. I found this combination kept me feeling strong, centered and fluid. I find myself exhaling as I start my thrust which would result in the completion of the thrust during the control pause. I tend to inhale as I draw the thrust back feeling as if I am coiling and generating tension to be released on the exhale/thrust. I have found this combination helped me to stay relaxed yet feel centered strong and fluid. I had found when breathing with the tsst’s I would hold my breath from time to time which would result in more mechanical movement and increase my reaction time as I would have to release before reacting. Coach Sonnon’s performance breathing has helped take some of the mystique out of different breathing practices for me and deepen my understanding of how to breath while performing Uechi-ryu.

Regards

Rick

[Van Canna]

Hi Rick,

What a pleasure to see you here. All Maloney’s students are formidable practitioners. Three gradings? Oh my..Time flies so quickly. Hope all is well with you and family.

I also have Scott Sonnon’s tape on breathing, and it reinforced my manner of breathing as you do.

Much more natural and relaxed as well.

Good post. I will repost it on my forum.

Be well, and hope to see you someday at our summer camp. :D

[rcoyle]

Thanks Sensei,

Things are going great with my family. We are spending lots of time in the rink these days with 2 of the boys in hockey.

Have you tried Coach Sonnon's club swinging yet. I have been playing with that as well off and on with kettlebell lifting and I find the carry over from the club swinging to Sanchin to be remarkable. In order to perform the movements you have to be rooted and centered. The ballistic movements and in particular Mills and Basacs involve building and releasing tension very similar to the coiling and uncoiling in Sanchin. The breathing patterns are further reinforced with these movements. The grip development is awesome and one of the things I like about it is that you learn to keep the right amount of tension in your grip so that you are able to swing the club fluidly. This translates to keeping a tight fist without excessive tension in the arm and shoulder so you can move with speed and power.

Regards

Rick Coyle

[Van Canna]

Hi Rick,

Hockey...great sport..love it. Fantastic for the kids on so many levels.

Interesting comments on the relationship between kettlebells and Sanchin.

Will have to get into that. Thank you and be well. :)