Stances are the foundation of good martial arts and self-defense. As we begin our journey in martial arts, we start learning how to walk correctly and how to stand correctly depending on if we are attacking or defending. In Shotokan karate (the Japanese branch of Shorin-Ryu), students are taught that wide and deep stances are important - which is good as long as the person is young. But in the precursor of Shotokan, nearly all Shorin-Ryu systems teach students to stand in more natural stances and recognizes there is a difference to the knees of a young deshi verses that of an old bugeishi. The Shorin-Ryu styles are more about the individual's needs, while the flashy Shotokan is much more like military marching. In my opinion, both have its benefits, but after studying both styles for many years, I personally like the Shorin-Ryu over Shotokan - but this is my personal preference.
When you practice kata in a dojo, be aware of what stances are emphasized in which kata and with which techniques. Some techniques and stances are best for attacking, some are better for defending, some are better for more than one opponent, others are good for protection of the groin area, etc. And remember, there is a lifetime of learning martial arts and it is not just about breaking bricks. Actually, tameshiwari - breaking techniques - are a very minor part of karate. However, it seems that the students of kyokushin kai karate excel at this portion of the art because of their original sokeshodai - Mas Oyama, as do many of the goju schools of karate. Part of the enhancement of breaking was due to Oyama's early association with goju karate. The years I studied both Kyokushinkai and Goju-Ryu, we focused on breaking rocks - simply because they were inexpensive and could be picked up almost anywhere.
