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Martial Arts
Topic Started: May 30 2008, 06:33 AM (333 Views)
Kai Stormwalker
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Master Sentinel/Scholar/Healer
Basic Stances


Horse Stance - the horse stance is the begining position for everything we will be doing. It strengthens your legs and helps you develop a solid base so that it is difficult for someone to knock you off your feet.

To do Horse Stance stand so your feet are more than shoulder width apart. Stand straight, hands hanging naturally at your sides, bend your knees, tuck your buttocks slightly and tuck your chin slightly. You should feel like a marionette suspended from a string attached at the crown of your head, able to bounce gently from the knees.

Holding horse stance is an excellent way to strengthen your legs, not just for martial arts but any sport that requires leg strength - football, soccer, basketball, etc.

It is said that a youth wanting to be accepted in the Shaolin Temple had to be able to hold horse stance for 1 hour. Starting out most people should be able to hold it for at least 1 minute. If you practice every day you should be up to 5 minutes within a month.

When I practice I also do abdominal (deep) breathing at the same time. 5 slow counts as I inhale, 5 slow counts as I exhale. This helps take my mind off the pain in my legs.

It may seem like a silly thing to do, but as a beginner there is a real sense of accomplishment the first time you are able to hold horse stance for 5 minutes.

Here is a picture of a former member in a low horse stance. This is something you can aspire to over time, but don't need to be able to do right away. And generally starting out you can hold both arms like his right, cocked back with fists at the waist.

Posted Image

Bow & Arrow (Forward) Stance - from horse stance step forward with right leg, shifting weight forward.

Repeat with left leg.

Back Stance - from horse stance step back with right leg, shifting weight back.

Repeat with left leg.

Cat (Empty) Stance - from horse stance, step forward with right toes and bend left leg so just the toes touch the ground.

Repeat with left toes.

Tai Chi (Heel) stance - from horse stance, step forward and rest right heel on ground with toes in the air. Weight in left leg.

Repeat with left heel.

Lotus (Cross) Stance - from horse stance move right foot back so it crosses behind the left and step down so it is at a 90 degree angle to it. Both feet will almost form an “L” shape.

Repeat stepping back with left foot.

Crane Stance - from horse stance, bend the right knee and raise it until the instep is next to the left knee. Toes should point downward. Balance as long as you can.

Repeat with left leg.

Tiger (Pike) Stance - from horse stance, step straight out sideways to the right as far as is comfortable, bending your left knee and keeping 80% of your weight in the left leg. Hold for as long as you can. As you practice attempt to get lower and lower.

Do with left leg.

Rooster Stance - like Crane stance, but raised leg is held in front of full leg.
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Kai Stormwalker
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HAND STRIKES


Straight Punch - from horse stance punch straight ahead with level fist. Hit with flat part of fist just below knuckles. Make sure that even when fully extended the arm stays slightly bent. If you straighten the arm completely you run the risk of tearing the muscles or tendons.

Side Punch - from horse stance punch straight out to the side with level fist. Make sure that even when fully extended the arm stays slightly bent. If you straighten the arm completely you run the risk of tearing the muscles or tendons.

Upper Cut - from horse stance, bring level fist straight up in front of face so palm side is toward you. Alternate left and right.

Right Cross Punch - from horse stance, turn toward the left and punch left with your right fist to the left using a level fist.

Left Cross Punch - from horse stance, turn toward the right and punch with your left fist to the right using a level fist.

Palm Strike - From horse stance, thrust your palm straight out ahead, fingers up, thumb out, as in a dragon palm. Impact will be made mostly with the butt of the palm.
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Kai Stormwalker
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Leg Techniques


Front Snap Kick - from horse stance bring either right or left knee to waist height , arch foot, and kick forward with lower leg. Always kick with top of foot never toes as they will surely get broken.

Front Kick - from horse stance bring either right or left knee to waist height and kick forward planting the bottom of the foot against the target.

Back Kick - from horse stance bring either right or left knee to waist height , then kick straight out behind you as if to hit a target with your heel.

Side Kick - from horse stance bring either right or left knee to waist height , then kick straight out to the side as if to hit a target with the outside edge of your foot.

Roundhouse (Crescent) Kick - (right) from horse stance, lift the right knee and swing it out and in an arc to the front as if hitting a target with the instep of the foot.

Repeat with left leg.

Reverse Right Roundhouse (Crescent) Kick - (right) from horse stance, lift the right knee as if to do a front kick, but swing the foot forward and to the outside, so it is the reverse of the Roundhouse Kick.

Repeat with left leg.

Sweep - (right) from horse stance, bend the left knee to get as close to the ground as you can then swing the right leg out and across in front with the intent to sweep your opponents legs out from under him.

Repeat with left leg.
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Kai Stormwalker
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Blocking Techniques



High Block - from horse stance, swing arm up to block an overhead blow

Low Block - from horse stance, swing arm out and down to block a kick

Inside Block - from horse stance, bring arm in front and across body to block a blow from the opposite side

Outside Block - from horse stance, bring arm in front and out to block a blow from the same side
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Ben Skywalker
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Here is a good video I found of a basic form that is taught in most styles of kung fu. It is called Wu Bu Quan.


Wu Bu Quan
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Jan-Qui
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bows
Master, the video is no longer available to be seen. Is there another one out there that would work please.
Thank you
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Silmerion Skywalker
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I can still see it...it is very good.

Master Silmerion
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