Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 November 2010 21:16 Thursday, 02 December 2004 08:39

Seinchin or Lull before the storm is the fourth of the nine Zen Do Kai traditional katas and is the first Black Belt Kata in the system.

Seinchin is practised by the Zen Do Kai student throughout the coloured belt stages. Its understanding is required to be displayed in part throughout the student's gradings to black belt. It is the official Zen Do Kai black belt kata and full understanding of it must be demonstrated at the practitioner's black belt grading. The idea of this very important kata is to teach the student to suppress, attack and defeat an opponent. It also teaches such principles as pulling off balance, piercing, penetrating and overcoming. It is said that this kata was a turning point for Okinawan karate because it brought with it a very strong Chinese influence, particularly the internal Chinese boxing styles. At the time, Okinawan karate was very hard, so this kata assisted in balancing the style.

In Zen Do Kai, attainment of the coveted black belt is viewed upon as the beginning of a storm. The practitioner's training from first degree to fifth degree black belt should manifest an internal sensation of 'stormy activity' and one of powering ahead. This kata's name is drawn from this notion. Seinchin's significance lies in its array of broad basic principles which include balance, posture, coordination, hand techniques, low deep stances, development of strength and power and a minimal use of kicking techniques. It also includes comprehensive use of stances including the horse stance, dragon stance, half lunging stance, cat stance and the bear stance. Its all encompassing theme is that of pulling one's adversary off balance and throwing them.