Things You'll Need:
- Yourself
- Partner (optional)
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Step 1
The first stance is the seiza stance. This is not really a stance for fighting but a stance that is used for relaxation and beginnings of classes for some schools.
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Step 2
The second stance is the ready stance or basic stance. This is done by spreading the feet shoulder width apart with fists in front and knees slightly bent. You will not perform this stance in a fight or you will be hit faster than you can blink. You will use the front stance for defense.
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Step 3
The front stance is performed by either stepping out with your right or left foot and bringing your fists up to your face. See image for more explanation. This stance will be the defensive stance.
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Step 4
The next stance is the "immovable" or horse stance. This stance is used to toughen and condition the legs. Standing in this stance for minutes at a time up to hours at a time will condition the legs into powerful weapons. To do this position feet more than shoulder width apart and drop down like you are sitting in a chair with fists brought to sides. See image for greater detail.
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Step 5
The next stance is a little advanced and will require proper positioning in order to get it right. This stance is the back stance and is mostly taught in traditional martial arts schools. To do this, get into a front stance and slide the back leg into and L shape and drop down into the stance. This will require 60% on the back leg and 40% on the front leg. See image. For the weight distribution, this takes practice and training.
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Step 6
One of the last stances is the low stance. This stance is used to move really low and undetected. Or, this stance can be used to evade an attack and counter with something else. This stance can be done by dropping down really low at the ground with one leg and the other leg outward. The weight will be distributed on the back leg sitting on the ball of the foot so that movement can be easily done. Usually this stance cannot be used for defense as the outward leg can be easily broken if kicked. Use this stance for undetected movement and hiding.
