Kata Sanchin contains the essence of Goju-Ryu and its purpose is to develop a keen mind, an armoured body and explosive power.
To perform Sanchin in a correct way one should first recognise the three conflicts, harmonise them and ultimately refine them. These conflicts spring from the undisciplined body, the undisciplined mind and a wrong way of breathing.
The mind: the discipline to exile all the uncountable thoughts that are constantly interfering.
The body: multiple repetition combined with self-awareness will correct a bad posture and wrong body-movements. It will restore the natural ballance and power.
Breathing: an abdominal breathing (from the belly) will replace the shallow breathing from the chest. This will result in a lesser tension of the upper-body and more tension in the lower part or "Hara".
Each of these conflicts can be seen as a rough, unpolished stone. By practising Sanchin the rough surfaces can become smooth and eventualy transform in the three juwels which are of great importance for those who practise Goju-Ryu.
This "polishing" of the three conflicts demands a correct attitude or "Ki". The utmost concentration without distraction from the natural movements and postures with a co-ordinated breathing from the "Hara".
It will take years and a lot of patience and perseverance to achieve this.
The sharp mind is the calm, empty mind that observes and reacts without the intervention of useless inner-monologues. The starting point of Zen, the free mind that allows a direct experience and an instinctive reaction.
The armoured body or so-called "iron vest". It is the condition to withstand and absorb outer forces. This can be achieved by developing and using the muscles, bones and tension throughout the entire body.
The explosive power will be built up in the entire body and channeled towards the enemy. The source of this power comes from the "Hara" in combination with a correct way of breathing. Chinese martial arts call this explosive energy "Fa Jing".