The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power [Paperback]

Kris Wilder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 23, 2007

When Karate or Ti was first developed in Okinawa it was about using technique and extraordinary power to end a fight instantly. These old ways of generating remarkable power are still accessible, but they are purposefully hidden in Sanchin Kata for the truly dedicated to find. This book takes the practitioner to new depths of practice by breaking down the form piece-by-piece, body part by body part, so that the very foundation of the kata is revealed. Test It. Every chapter, concept, and application is accompanied by a Test It section, designed for you to explore and verify the kata for yourself. Sanchin Kata really comes alive, when you can feel the thrill of having those hidden teachings speak to you through your body across the ages. No other document, or video, available today provides such depth and exploration of Sanchin Kata. Simply put, once you read this book and test what you have learned, your Karate will never be the same.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book has been sorely needed for generations! ...every serious karateka absolutely must own.- Philip Starr, Inside Kung Fu Hall of Fame Member; Founder of Yiliquan

After 26 years in Goju, I am finally excited to study and practice this kata. ...solid direction and guidance... - Dr. Jeff Cooper, Tactical Medical Director, Toledo (Ohio) SWAT

...dispels the myths... straightforward and accessible ... put the lessons of Sanchin to the test... a truly great piece of work...- Iain Abernethy, 5th dan, British Combat Association Hall of Fame Member

...a tremendous book that provides readers with a wealth of information that has previously never been disclosed in one volume.- Loren Christensen, 7th degree black belt; author

If you want to develop real strength, speed, endurance, and power... buy this book. It should be required reading... - Lawrence A. Kane, martial arts instructor; author

From the Back Cover

When Karate or "Ti" was first developed in Okinawa it was about using technique and extraordinary power to end a fight instantly. These old ways of generating remarkable power are still accessible, but they are purposefully hidden in Sanchin Kata for the truly dedicated to find.

This book takes the practitioner to new depths of practice by breaking down the form piece-by-piece, body part by body part, so that the very foundation of the kata is revealed.

Test It. Every chapter, concept, and application is accompanied by a Test It section, designed for you to explore and verify the kata for yourself. Sanchin Kata really comes alive, when you can feel the thrill of having those hidden teachings speak to you through your body across the ages. No other document, or video, available today provides such depth and exploration of Sanchin Kata. Simply put, once you read this book and test what you have learned, your Karate will never be the same.

Chapters include: * Movement Not Seen * The Crescent Step * The Spine* Bones, Sinew, and Muscle * The Energetic Structure * The Mechanical Structure* Iron Shirt * Rooting * The Mind * Ten-Minute Sanchin * The 5:7 Ratio * The Implements for Sanchin Kata Training * The Entire Traditional Kata in step-by-step movement.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Ymaa Publication Center (March 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594390843
• ISBN-13: 978-1594390845
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is nothing short of fantastic for kata practioneers!, July 16, 2007

By 

Shawn Kovacich "Author of the Achieving Kicki... (The Greatest Little City in the World) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power (Paperback)

I just recently finished reading Kris Wilder's, "The Way of Sanchin Kata," and boy let me tell you I was thoroughly impressed. It has been years since I first learned this kata, and embarrassingly almost as long since I last practiced it. Kris's breakdown and explanation of this kata and all its finer points is nothing short of remarkable and is without a doubt one of the finest examples of this kata that I have ever seen in literature.

I will even go so far as to say that the only way that you could find a better introduction to this kata is to actually have someone that has genuinely mastered it instruct you. The key statement here is, "genuinely mastered it" not someone that is merely familiar with it. I am familiar with Sanchin kata, but I sure am not competent enough performing it at this time to instruct it. I have yet to see anything else in print, or on video for that matter, that comes close to Kris's instructional ability with this kata.

Now I must admit that I fully intended to have this review completed and posted weeks before I actually accomplished that task. However, after reading through Kris's book the first time, I had to actually go through it several more times and I even practiced various portions of the kata while holding this book in one hand as I went through the movements. I could really tell that it has been awhile since I last practiced this kata, and I was really grateful to have Kris's book as a guide to get me through it. Not only did this book prove to be a great resource for refreshing my memory on this particular kata, but it taught me so much more that I hadn't even known before.

As with any kata, and I do mean any kata, the principles and underlying techniques which a kata is designed to teach are far more important and beneficial to the martial artist than the mere combinations of punches, blocks, and kicks. The benefits of learning and practicing Sanchin kata on a consistent basis are not something that you will miraculously see overnight. However, you will start seeing the benefits after a couple of months of consistent practice.

Kris starts off his book with a very informative section on the history of the Sanchin kata followed by some very profound information on the learning process and how it can impede or enhance your learning potential.

From here Kris spends the rest of the book breaking down each individual component of the kata in precise and exacting detail from the placement and "rooting" of your feet all the way up through various parts of your body to your fists. Each chapter is very well done and is consistent in its information and importance to each particular movement in the kata as well as the kata as a whole.

I personally found the sections and information detailing the correct body posture and breathing to be the most beneficial along with the proper parts of the body to tense and relax during the execution of the kata. That by no means is meant to place any other portions of the book as less important; it merely means that these particular portions stood out for me and my background as more beneficial. Although the book was loaded with lots of very informative illustrations, I really would have liked to have seen some of the body positions utilized with real people instead of drawings.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to realize their true potential not only with Sanchin kata, but any kata that they happen to practice.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all serious martial artists, April 2, 2007

By 

L. A. Kane (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power (Paperback)

Many practitioners believe that sanchin kata holds the key to mastering traditional martial arts. It is one of the simplest forms to learn pattern-wise, yet one of the most difficult to perfect. Those who truly understand its teachings find that it facilitates enormous quickness and power in any martial application. The challenge comes in gaining that understanding, something we had to uncover by trial and error until now.

In his groundbreaking book, The Way of Sanchin, Sensei Wilder lays out step-by-step instructions for mastering this vital form. He covers every element of body mechanics, movement, breathing, and application with clear writing, pertinent detail, and informative illustrations. The "test it" exercises help readers internalize what they have learned.

Wilder manages to take the ancient wisdom of sanchin kata and make it relevant for modern budoka (martial artists) today. If you want to develop real strength, speed, endurance, and power for tournament competition or street survival you need to buy this book.

Contents Include:

- The entire kata in step-by-step movement
- Movement not seen
- The crescent step
- The spine
- Bones, sinew, and muscle
- The energetic structure
- The mechanical structure
- Iron shirt
- Rooting
- The mind
- Ten-minute sanchin
- The 5:7 ratio
- And much more...

The illustrations are outstanding too, supplementing the text in exacting detail. This insightful book truly should be required reading for all serious practitioners.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Blinded by the Night, among other titles

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Way of Sanchin Kata, April 23, 2007

By 

Mark J. Loucks (Snoqualmie, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power (Paperback)

This is a profound book that puts it all in perspective in regards to mastering Sanchin kata. It is scientific, yet very hands on. I know it works because I have trained it at Sensei Wilder's dojo with Ito Sensei. It has improved my Sanchin kata and deepened my understanding substantially. The ramifications of training Sanchin this way are far reaching because it is the foundation of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate. It has strengthened all of my kata and karate technique over the past 18 months of 'godo' renshu(cross-training)with Kris and Ito Sensei!

I highly recommend this book if you are a student of Goju-Ryu Karate or a student of Sanchin. You will be pleasantly surprised!

Mark Loucks
Jundokan Seattle - Shibu
Godan-Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do