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Sanchin Dachi is a rooted karate stance. Pronounced 'san-chin-datch'. This stance is a very common and intergral part of many karate syllabuses, also known as the hour glass stance or pidgeon toe stance.
Sanchin Dachi is a short upright stance with feet positioned no further than a shoulders width apart. Toes should be pointed inwards in this stance and the knees should be drawn together, this helps to protect the groin from sweeping kicks.
Sanchin Dachi is one of the most difficult stances to master, but when applied correctly enables the karateka to stand with a certain degree of built in protection, in a balanced and rooted posture that grips the floor, allowing the waist to be flexible and enabling the karateka to strike and block with a decent amount of power.
Regular training is needed and recomended in this stance to strengthern the legs and increase stamina and spiritual wellbeing. While this stance is used throughtout the Japanese Karate styles, the stance of Sanchin Dachi actually originates from Chinese Kung Fu.