1. The Goju school name comes from the harmonious combination of “Go” (hardness or strength) and “Ju” (smoothness or flexibility). This name was extracted of the Chinese text, denominated Bubishi, by Master Chojun Miyagi, in 1932.

2. The Sanchin and Tensho katas are considered to be the essence of the Goju Karate, since these respectively demonstrate “Go” and “Ju”.

3. The Sanchin kata symbolizes the “Go” of this style of Karate. (“San” meaning: the three vital centres and “chin” meaning: purification. Also meaning “Tree Battles.”) Just like the Sanchin kata name indicates, the execution of this kata is of great benefit for ones health, then, with each execution we are cleaning our mind from useless thoughts, that all they do is occupy space and mental energy. Furthermore, it purifies our emotional centre eliminating the negative emotions, transmuting them towards a process of inner harmony. And finally, it stimulates the correct functioning of the digestive activity, which, by all means, is the basis for good health.

4. And from a martial arts point of view the Sanchin kata’s objective is to develop a powerful muscular structure of the body, by means of a conscious muscular work that always begins at the base of the feet towards the upper part of the body. This muscular strength has a total influence in the completion of each movement, in defence as much as in counter attack, since it is due there that one must produce the tension in block, which is only maintained by a brief moment during the contact. On the other hand, the specific muscular development that is obtained with this work, serves to produce a shield, at the moment we are being struck, and must always be executed with powerful breathing, that it imitates the bear at the time of attacking.