Using the hips in Sanchin-based systems

[Stryke]

Absolutely John , a focus on principles harmonies and alignments would clearly teach that hip movment was obvious and necessary , in fact how can one move fluidly without it ....

it`s a case of getting back to why we move , not just imitation

[Dana Sheets]

So in talking about the weight distribution in the foot - I'm talking about the difference between teaching students to be "flat-footed" in the sense that from the outside their sanchin will look correct but their body won't be ready to move athletically in a moment's notice VS. a sanchin stance that from the outside doesn't look differently but the body is set in a way as to be dynamic.

This goes back to that comment about Kanei Uechi having trained himself to walk on the balls of his feet. I'm not saying that the heels aren't used or aren't in contact, but when your heels are dug into the ground with most of your weight, you're really not in a very good place to move off of that piece of real estate. You can hold your ground...but what else can you do?

Sanchin is a base for stability AND mobility.

[Bill Glasheen]

I was always fascinated by how Kanei would fidget with his toes - even while doing a slow Sanchin for the camera. Note how George and Charlie got the camera to focus in on it through the second turn.

Kanei Uechi Sanchin

There's nothing static about his feet. They are alive all the way through the form.

- Bill