Sanchin-ryu

Sanchin-ryu

Sanchin-ryu (son chin roo) is a style of martial arts karate founded by Chief Grand Master Robert H. Dearman. The style is self defense, based primarily on Okinawin teachings. One of the primary ideas of Sanchin Ryu is “anyone can do it regardless of age and physical ability.”

Ranks

The order of belts in Sanchin Ryu:

Ku-Ranks (Non black belt ranks)
1. White Belt - Solid white belt (many times imaginary, as the student many times does not actually have their gi or uniform yet) that a student starts out with
2. Orange belt - Solid Orange Belt
3. Green Belt - Solid Green Belt
4. Purple Belt-Solid Purple Belt

5. 3rd degree Brown Belt - White belt with a brown stripe down the middle. This is the first level of brown and time for the student to refine and look at their physical direction of study and to see the path of Sanchin Ryu..
6. 2nd degree Brown Belt - Brown belt with a white stripe in the middle,this is the middle level for the student to focus on the mental applications of study, strategies and placements, etc.
7. 1st degree Brown Belt - Solid brown belt (Belt before black belt) This is the time for the student to rebase their study and polish everything they had experienced as a Kyu rank and to look ahead to a real education of this blessed form.

Dan Ranks (Black belt ranks)
7. Sho-dan (1st degree black belt) - Solid black belt; this rank is awarded to those that have put forth effort of study to grow and become open to truly learn this school. At this rank it is equivalent to a high school degree,the student knows the basic function to share it to others, but is in true student mode. This rank is a prequesite at minimal to become a Sensei (teacher),but must be trained by higher ranking Master in an apprentice mode fr a duration of time. Not all students make it to a Sensei role and the Soke,Chief Grand Master Dearman,has the final say if the student is to share in a dojo of their own.
8. Nidan (2nd degree black belt) - Solid black belt with white kanji and English writing, initially it was written on one tail of the belt of the rank in kanji in white/silver thread.
9. Sandan (3rd degree black belt) - Solid black belt with red kanji and English writing. Respectably, the belt had a gold thread kanji on one of the tails at one time, and was used initially years ago when the student was to be moved into Yo Dan. They were to sew a red stripe down the center of it for a reminder of the path of personal mastery upon their testing.
10. Yodan (4th degree black belt) - Black belt with red stripe, known as Sub Master belt, because it is the belt before the rank of Master. This is a time for the student to learn who they are and what influences they will share in time. This is the time for the student to kill the ego in themselves.

Master Ranks (5th degree black belt and above)
11. Godan (5th degree black belt) - Candy cane segmented belt (red and white), first rank of masters,and are eligible for upper ranks of responsibility and giving.
12. Rokudan (6th degree black belt) - White belt with red stripe. This rank is an opening of wrapping the self with study and consistent flow with no breaks of motion on all levels.
13. Sichidan (7th degree black belt) - Solid red belt with black writing. This rank displays the student has dedicated their life to the study and is in their blood,life,and sharing a deep influence of the form. They are the knights of Sanchin Ryu.
14. Hachidan (8th degree black belt) - A black, white, and red striped belt. Highest rank achievable before the rank of grand master. Balance of self,thought,and spirit is this rank and a pillar of study for all students to look up upon for a light below Chief Grand Master Dearman. These individuals have given most of their life to the study, development,care and upkeep, and the enrichment of every facet of the ryu. These students are a blessing to everyone they encounter.

Grandmaster (Leader of Sanchin-Ryu)
15. Kudan (9th degree black belt) - This belt has never been seen before, because it is intended for the current leader of Sanchin-Ryu, known as the Grandmaster. The current leader is the founder of the style, Chief Grandmaster Robert Dearman, who is a Judon. No official successor has been determined, but speculation revolves around his 2 sons, Chief Instructors Joe and Ben Dearman
16. Judan (10th degree black belt) - Solid Gold belt, sometimes a red sash is used in place of this. This belt is reserved only for the Chief Grandmaster, Robert Dearman. This belt will never be given to anyone else


Auxiliary Ranks
These are other ranks that are completely belt related

1. Sensei - Instructor of a class, and has obtained at least their shodan, and wears a sensei patch with many symbols that lead to remind the instructor that they are a student. The patch is on loan and must be given back to C.G.M. Dearman with the same love and care that was presented if the student steps away from study.
2. Master - An outstanding Sanchinka and leader, the rank above a sensei. The student can be seen with a red/gold banner on the right shoulder/sleeve over the sensei patch. This person had put the time daily to study in every year they have been in Sanchin Ryu.
3. District Master - A master who has authority over a certain district, and commonly runs the local black belt classes.
4. Disciple Master - Special and devoted masters are selected for this rank, and are signified by the gold Shiriken on their gi. They had disciplined themselves to the study of Sanchin Ryu and to life.
5. Chief Instructor - The next rank after District Master, often are in charge of a much larger region
6. Grandmaster - The will be leader of Sanchin-Ryu after Chief Grandmaster Dearman retires
7. Chief Grandmaster - Rank given only to founder of the style, Robert H Dearman

Non-competitive philosophy

Students of Sanchin-Ryu, known as Sanchinkas, do not fight in competitions. Sanchin-Ryu is taught to deal with the ultimate extreme, to kill an opponent, and supporting competitions would not only be dangerous, but would change the style into more of a game, in order to win, rather than a self defense style. Comparison to other students through competitive tests is not used, instead students will advance at their own rate, and promotions are decided by either their Sensei, their District Master, or another major head of Sanchin-Ryu, such as a Chief Instructor or Chief Grand Master Robert Dearman. Students only fight each other in a kumite (controlled practice fight) when they have a deep knowledge for the moves they are using and when they have control over themselves.

Instructors

In Sanchin-ryu, teachers, known as Senseis, are only black-belts or higher. You cannot qualify to be an instructor of a dojo (place of study) if you are a brown-belt or lower. Once a black belt is ready to become a sensei, they receive a sensei patch. To keep certification, the teacher must go to a class held by a master, known as a black belt class.

Current Leaders

Here is a brief list of the Major leader's of Sanchin-Ryu

Chief Grandmaster Robert H. Dearman - Style founder
Chief Instructor Chris Dearman - Wife of CGM
Chief Instructor Jim Cataline - Long time Sanchinka, friend of CGM
Chief Instructor Joe Dearman - Son of CGM
Chief Instructor Ben Dearman - Son of CGM

Non-profit philosophy

Sanchin-ryu is non-profit because Grand Master Dearman (founder of Sanchin-ryu) wanted to make it affordable for everyone. With this philosophy, the classes run for $25-$35 for an eight week session. The teachers don't get paid for their work and classes are not taught in formal do-jos but in public places.

References

http://sanchinsystems.com/about.htmlhttp://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9596