Street use for sanchin thrusts?

[Rob Kolenc]

Bill, I'm sold.
You need to move to Vancouver and open a dojo.

[Bill Glasheen]

Hey, all I need to do is convince you that you too can figure this stuff out. It just takes the kind of inquisitive mind and persistant questioning that you display.

And the more you question and challenge (or are questioned and challenged), the better it is when you figure it out.

- Bill

[AAAhmed46]

The mechanics of sanchin thrust can be used for a hook to the body. Your aligned, and can rotate your hip for a powerful blow to the ribs.

Coarse, this is just one of many uses i think.

[Guest]

speaking of film...hows the kata coming Bill

[Van Canna]

The mechanics of sanchin thrust can be used for a hook to the body. Your aligned, and can rotate your hip for a powerful blow to the ribs.

Coarse, this is just one of many uses i think.

Ha... but that's not Uechi, my friend. No hip rotation allowed.

You do that in some Uechi groups and you'll be tarred, feathered, and run out of town.

And don't you dare breathe out with your strike.

[Rob Kolenc]

Van Canna, okay, I'll bite. I was going to ask this in another post any way...

Could someone in the forum please explain to me what's the reasoning behind yes/no sides for the Sanchin breathing debate?

I understand that we're not supposed to breathe out when we're doing a power move. I don't understand why. My sensai wants me to exhale while I'm doing explosive movements (I guess he's non-traditional). I've tried it both ways - exhailing during a strike and not exhailing. I've found I can get way more speed and power if I exhail during the move. What's the harm in doing that? Is it because you're "telegraphing" your move or showing weakness when you have to breathe in?

[Van Canna]

Ha...timeless question..we have a million pages of discussion on breathing here..many by breathing professionals such as Scott Sonnon.

And Tony could tell you some stories about 'exhaling paranoia'

You are doing exactly what I and many other progressive teachers do and teach.

Stay with it, Rob. Forget about the reasons for not exhaling in a Uechi strike.

The reason for not doing it _ has been reported as 'losing your chi' if you breathe out thereby sapping power from the strike, despite a world of modern studies and evidence to the contrary.


I will let this matter rest. Feel free to peruse the million pages on breathing from our archives.

[Guest]

What I mean is a kind of serpentine wave of movement from the legs, up through the spine, and finally a whipping motion that comes out the hands. One biomechanics source I have investigated calls the principle "sequential summation of movement." Just take a look at a common bullwhip in action and you'll see how that works. Watch a baseball pitcher throw a baseball, or a batter swing a bat. They get it.

Thanks Bill. I love your erudition. My western PA roots are low tech. All the farmers used to have a bull dick under the front seat. In my karate, I've always envisioned my arms and hands to be like switches that can whip and snap like a bull dick.

[Bill Glasheen]

Rob

There are as many opinions on this one as there are noses.

I understand that we're not supposed to breathe out when we're doing a power move. I don't understand why.

That's not true. Breathe when you need to take a breath. IMO, you should be learning how to let your body breathe itself.

My sensai wants me to exhale while I'm doing explosive movements (I guess he's non-traditional).

You should listen to your teacher. And there's no evidence (that anyone here can demonstrate) that what he's teaching is "non-traditional."

Read George Mattson's Uechiryu Karate Do book on this subject. There are several very good pages on his thoughts, and his discussions with Kanei Uechi on the matter. The bottom line IMO is that people make way more of this than Master Uechi ever did. It was never a big deal to him. He just did what felt natural to him. and you should do the same.

I've tried it both ways - exhailing during a strike and not exhailing. I've found I can get way more speed and power if I exhail during the move. What's the harm in doing that? Is it because you're "telegraphing" your move or showing weakness when you have to breathe in?

There's absolutely no harm in what you are doing. You are studying karate just as you should. You are questioning, experimenting, listening to your instructor, and finding out what works for you.

But the journey has just begun, Rob.

Pretty soon you'll be doing martial moves that are not thrusts. How will you breathe when you do all these other moves? Will you breathe differently for a throw or toss (high load) than you will for a strike (no load until contact)? If not, why not?

Then you will learn to string lots of movements together, and even make the footwork (turns and all) become part of the moves. How will you breathe through all that?

How will you naturally breathe when you are surprised? (a gasp...) How will you transition this flinch into a response?

And what will you do in-between the movements to make sure you are properly breathed?

What will you do if you are a LEO or soldier, have a long time to anticipate a battle, and are concerned about hyperventillation? How will or should you breathe to keep your stress level in check?

How can or will you extend your anaerobic metabolism to make yourself a better fighter?

The learning has just begun, Rob.

- Bill

[Van Canna]

Good points by Bill, Rob.

The problem you will encounter is that if someone 'alters' other people's conceptions and interpretations of Uechi breathing, by breathing as he wishes or as he believes he needs to_ some of these people will jump up and yell: _That's not Uechi_ and relegate him to the Uechi waste bin.

Ask Tony about this.

As you progress through the ranks, and you become exposed to other Uechi groups, you will experience ostracism in many different permutations, if you don't 'conform' to the accepted standard.

Ask about a Uechi breathing standard from as many master ranks as you can contact, and see.

[AAAhmed46]

Ha... but that's not Uechi, my friend. No hip rotation allowed.

You do that in some Uechi groups and you'll be tarred, feathered, and run out of town.

And don't you dare breathe out with your strike.

But it works! I may not twist my hip during the sanchin kata, but if im going to hit, i will use my body.
Your a renagade too arnt you?Like rick? Were you tarred and feathered?

[Van Canna]

Your a renegade too arnt you?Like rick? Were you tarred and feathered?

Well, I am more of an outlaw. One of my single actions 45 colts with pearl handles is named the ‘bounty hunter’ _ after the guy I took it away from who now rests in peace.

My double barrel 12 gauge _ Sicilian Lupara_ is named ‘outlaw’ _

They don’t try the tar and feather trick on me, because they know I’ll shove the ‘outlaw’ down their throat, the Lupara up their ass and pull all three triggers at once.

[Guest]

boy that sure sells me on vinyl wallpaper!

[Guest]

both ways - exhailing during a strike and not exhailing. I've found I can get way more speed and power if I exhail during the move. What's the harm in doing that?

HAH HAH!!!!! Welcome to the club!

[Guest]

Ask Tony about this.

Yes... ask me.. not only do I have practical experience in this, but i'm also taking a class in Biology and just finished studying "The Cell". As it turns out, if you don't breathe the way your body wants, YOU WILL DIE! Perhaps in little tiny pieces at a time... but you'll be dead none the less. Do yourself a favor and follow your instincts.. you want to breathe a certain way because your body says so. You will not get any more power by holding your breath, in fact, holding it will create a surplus of C02... which is NOT GOOD for action!