tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879988992194014322024-03-19T03:05:52.785-07:00Karate Stances - A Perfect Karate FoundationStances are important in karate as they represent the foundation, or roots of good technique. Incredible power can be generated by a martial artist using proper stances with hip rotation and focus. Stances and focus of the Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate system should allow a karate practitioner to gain enough focus over time to generate one punch knock out power.Kyoju of Budohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16100625487961987538noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587998899219401432.post-35599828398818531632020-01-14T15:05:00.015-08:002022-03-13T15:11:16.693-07:00Traditional Karate Stances<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbV8O5y--qh6u9S12vSpSub5S7o9DTne3zOiOH2m1JpC6E7bVmfnNb3lun6cWHpJUuJQGe-zg5gGspzEP2j9-80uVe5dKUs3Lilhktua-sCWs6kEYbkHMJl5XnSObid8MRgvFaYRHgJAIlsfnfYac4-OX3GN81XuPP8hMxzOrkyJsyMeYEhk9vSCT8=s2938" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2938" data-original-width="2204" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbV8O5y--qh6u9S12vSpSub5S7o9DTne3zOiOH2m1JpC6E7bVmfnNb3lun6cWHpJUuJQGe-zg5gGspzEP2j9-80uVe5dKUs3Lilhktua-sCWs6kEYbkHMJl5XnSObid8MRgvFaYRHgJAIlsfnfYac4-OX3GN81XuPP8hMxzOrkyJsyMeYEhk9vSCT8=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Build your house to withstand earthquakes, and you will need a very strong and flexible foundation. Build a <i>karate practitioner</i> to withstand onslaughts, and you still need a strong and flexible foundation. Strong and flexible foundations in <i>karate</i> require good stances (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate_stances"><i>dachi</i></a>) to provide balance and flexibility, along with immovable courtesy and respect for those who teach you. So build a foundation well!</div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> Kiba-dachi (騎馬立, Horse riding stance)</span></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYhBuZ5oY898MR55xyW-MQ_6TfuVGynJwPbwFgkyWurFLaKi_FSCr9w9130-gWd1Sa2usAf9-7JFCItmO-eujb95nr3myvR-UEWW6UYbMIOpiwZvDcTo8YMsXeqIFbu4AuOLKKExvIDc/s1600/120px-Kibadachi.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYhBuZ5oY898MR55xyW-MQ_6TfuVGynJwPbwFgkyWurFLaKi_FSCr9w9130-gWd1Sa2usAf9-7JFCItmO-eujb95nr3myvR-UEWW6UYbMIOpiwZvDcTo8YMsXeqIFbu4AuOLKKExvIDc/s1600/120px-Kibadachi.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Stand in front of a mirror, examine your <i>karate</i> posture. Start with horse-riding stance (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_stance"><i>kiba dachi</i></a>). Do you look like a bare-foot, bull-legged cowboy? You should, unless you're a cowgirl. Are your (1) feet <a href="https://youtu.be/9IsyfYuCqBE?list=PLgsEPjPIusDP9uB2HLC6x1jrHozq5VzQx">spread</a> apart so your feet extend beyond your shoulders? Remember, you are doing horse riding stance - so does you stance allow for a horse to sit between your legs? (2) Are your feet parallel with toes pointing to the front (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dj%C5%8D"><i>shoman</i></a>) of the <i>dojo</i>? If they are at an angle, you are standing in <a href="http://the-martial-way.com/kiba-dachi-vs-shiko-dachi/"><i>shiko dachi</i></a> (sumo stance) instead of <i>kiba dachi</i>. But both are good stances.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUigbCXrkq9GWac_SgL1O3Tp8XwVS2sKtpwmUZ6VWbeOfs2FUS3T7JvWWZcRiRnF_AOQEOAAe1QGELySr6W8EZT-MHZzurvALAJsKYUlodS7-gE4bQiaMFvl0IrHMu-T9V5uu19X1fR4/s1600/Shiko+Dachi+-+Hakutsuru+kata+Arizona+School+of+Traditional+Karate+%2528AzMartialArts.webs.com%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1141" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUigbCXrkq9GWac_SgL1O3Tp8XwVS2sKtpwmUZ6VWbeOfs2FUS3T7JvWWZcRiRnF_AOQEOAAe1QGELySr6W8EZT-MHZzurvALAJsKYUlodS7-gE4bQiaMFvl0IrHMu-T9V5uu19X1fR4/w320-h298/Shiko+Dachi+-+Hakutsuru+kata+Arizona+School+of+Traditional+Karate+%2528AzMartialArts.webs.com%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Soke Hausel, stands in shiko dachi to teach white <br />crane Shorin-Ryu at a UW clinic in Laramie.</i><br /><br /></td></tr>
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Bend your knees more and observe how you look. Keep your back straight. Now bend your knees more until you look like you are preparing to practice <i>wushu</i> (<i>kung fu</i>). It is likely your stance should be somewhere between your initial stance and your <i>wushu</i> stance. <b>Periodically</b>, practice <i>kata</i> with very deep stances to develop leg muscle strength. Turn sideways and observe your posture in a mirror and insure your back is straight.</div>
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It is my experience, few beginning martial artists get their feet in a proper position in <i>kiba dachi</i> and end up in <i>shiko dachi</i>. There is nothing wrong with <i>shiko dachi</i>, it can be used for any technique used in <i>kiba dachi; </i>but by tradition, it is used in specific waza (techniques) in <i><a href="https://seiyo-meikyo.blogspot.com/">kata</a></i>. </div>
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Typically, <a href="http://www.shitoryu.org/skills/kumite_footwork.htm"><i>yori ashi</i> </a>(shuffle step) is employed when <a href="https://youtu.be/23oDJsDMSOk">moving forward</a> in <i>kiba dachi</i>, but you can just as easily move backwards with <a href="http://www.shitoryu.org/skills/kumite_footwork.htm"><i>sugi ashi</i></a>. Turn sideways and take a shuffle step with your lead foot followed by dragging your back foot - this is <i>yori ashi</i>. After you’ve tried this exercise, add a side kick (<i>yoko geri <a href="https://youtu.be/djpMQk8_2h0">keage</a></i> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2kInnB-yVQ"><i>yoko geri kekomi</i></a>) to your exercise regimen.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Shiko Dachi</b> (<b>sumo stance</b>) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEt63enOM88FWqnGtzy-rNFEE9GAJFICHG2ft27AAwXOXYXq-Z2Xl2pEu1KMJBODBv3zLZ7zPdKLL1cWcZaJrndt5JtKoKznVp-kIE-ql2SX6K7mNt2fdPH0N-SUlwssaU3PWQore6HU/s1600/120px-Shikodachi.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEt63enOM88FWqnGtzy-rNFEE9GAJFICHG2ft27AAwXOXYXq-Z2Xl2pEu1KMJBODBv3zLZ7zPdKLL1cWcZaJrndt5JtKoKznVp-kIE-ql2SX6K7mNt2fdPH0N-SUlwssaU3PWQore6HU/s1600/120px-Shikodachi.jpg" /></a><i>Shiko dachi</i> can be used in place of <i>kiba dachi</i>, as both work well interchangeably. The only difference between the two is that <i>shiko dachi</i> is a slightly more relaxed stance.<br />
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In many of the Japanese <i>dojo </i>(道場), there is an insistence that students practice <i>kiba dachi</i> where it is designated with no room for interpretation. However, many Okinawa schools are not so concerned with exact placement of feet. It is much more important to keep knees bent for effective <a href="https://self-defense-women.blogspot.com/">self-defense</a>. To the uninitiated, <i>shiko dachi</i> and <i>kiba dachi</i> look the same and they can be used interchangably.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWUJIxd1jw_wqcxKbrbPe2dw_AepS7WvOKtXxZ9xQ7RhduMfU4uuGdANGe3X1IqPxWalM4TRJmo87pK-oYE4nHLHfcr42x1XPaGGh9qCEm3IcIZNkNCsVtBWMSL3GPxTr1UM466_wdRU/s1600/Front+stance%252C+University+of+Wyoming+karate.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1401" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWUJIxd1jw_wqcxKbrbPe2dw_AepS7WvOKtXxZ9xQ7RhduMfU4uuGdANGe3X1IqPxWalM4TRJmo87pK-oYE4nHLHfcr42x1XPaGGh9qCEm3IcIZNkNCsVtBWMSL3GPxTr1UM466_wdRU/s320/Front+stance%252C+University+of+Wyoming+karate.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hanshi Andy Finley, 8th dan, stands in zenkutsu <br />dachi while teaching nunchaku clinic at <br />University of Wyoming.</i> </td></tr>
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</div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">Critique your </span><a href="https://youtu.be/CExVa5_aGNQ" style="text-align: justify;"><i>zenkutsu dachi</i></a><span style="text-align: justify;"><i> </i>(front stance), by checking your feet placement: be sure to <b>spread your feet apart</b> (<b>front to back</b> as well as <b>side to side</b>). Your front knee should be over your instep with toes pointing forward and there should be about 1.5 times your <b>shoulder width separation</b> between feet (front to back). Your back leg and knee need to be relaxed (not locked), and your <b>back foot pointing forward</b> at a small angle (10 to 20 degrees). And also constantly note that your feet should be separated right to left about one shoulder width separation (this is always a problem for most beginners). Each time you walk forward, check this width. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">When you check your stance, look at the position of your knees and feet. <b>If your back foot is perpendicular to your front foot, you are likely standing in</b> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/WCI2CYT27Wg" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>fudo dachi</i></b></a><span style="text-align: justify;"><i> or kokutsu dachi </i>rather than <i>zenkutsu dachi</i>. Examine to see if your <b>back is straight</b>? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4FZ7JCOCAnGrGofM71ToQEGFrsGnzwL7pwqc04C9L2Iwhn1XutdW10LmmPJ8pmlxtRSqIb1GuI54w9HtvfHzmu8GN9WlF3pUuyJ0t_IBj2rmGDkYD2RqlqbCMcMAA4J4rcVXySW0Rc0/s1600/WalkingStance.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="204" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4FZ7JCOCAnGrGofM71ToQEGFrsGnzwL7pwqc04C9L2Iwhn1XutdW10LmmPJ8pmlxtRSqIb1GuI54w9HtvfHzmu8GN9WlF3pUuyJ0t_IBj2rmGDkYD2RqlqbCMcMAA4J4rcVXySW0Rc0/s200/WalkingStance.gif" width="171" /></a><a href="https://youtu.be/4220a8_fZqA">Walk forward</a> in front stance keeping knees bent, your shoulders should remain at the same height (i.e., do not bob up and down). If your shoulders follow a sine wave pattern, you should be in physics - rather than <i>karate</i>. When you <a href="https://youtu.be/H8-CEvttwHM">block, rotate your shoulders</a> and upper body to match the angle of your feet. If you are punching, square your shoulders so they are nearly perpendicular to your stance.</div>
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The younger you are, the more you need to bend your knees. If you are over 60, take it easy, but remember to keep your feet on the floor and move in a smooth line so there is no perceivable up and down motion in your knees, head, and shoulders. </div>
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When you move in any direction in front stance, your feet need to scribe a semi-circular path on the floor with the ball of your foot always touching the floor as you glide forward, side to side, or backwards. </div>
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When you think that you have your stance correct, have someone check your posture to be sure that they agree it is correct. Once you have it right, practice, practice, practice, so that your body learns to do the correct stance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uMIhTCrD58fShGZ50grgOK3fS_4lU5VptDrQKc1lV-MPTy6aV-GY-6_Z549_GD68KvA3KWMVlcQveUlYx1HuHzZy5zf8FcyKLoPZxUxmpezqfMA4eKbmzS8Vt_wrxz3js7Ud4u0ge6Y/s1600/Arizona+Kamajutsu+%2528Kobudo%2529+%2526+Karate+copy.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uMIhTCrD58fShGZ50grgOK3fS_4lU5VptDrQKc1lV-MPTy6aV-GY-6_Z549_GD68KvA3KWMVlcQveUlYx1HuHzZy5zf8FcyKLoPZxUxmpezqfMA4eKbmzS8Vt_wrxz3js7Ud4u0ge6Y/w288-h320/Arizona+Kamajutsu+%2528Kobudo%2529+%2526+Karate+copy.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sensei</i> Tyler Durfee, 3nd <i>dan</i>, stands in <br /><i>kokutsu dachi</i> while training with <br /><i><a href="https://kamajutsu.blogspot.com/">kama</a>, </i>Seiyo Hombu, Mesa, Arizona.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Kokutsu Dachi</b></span></span><br />
The <a href="https://youtu.be/M3BZDtvaI3o">back stance</a> is slightly different for <i><a href="https://seiyoshorinryu.blogspot.com/">Shorin-Ryu</a> karate</i> than <i>Shotokan karate</i>. In most systems of <i>karate</i>, feet are perpendicular to one another with knees bent. However, in <a href="https://seiyokaishorinryu.blogspot.com/"><i>Shorin-Ryu</i></a>, the back foot and knee are at a 100 to 110 degree angle with the front foot, with both heels slightly off-set off the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embusen">embusen</a></i> line rather than in a straight line. The separation of feet from front to back, and side to side, should be the same as in <i>zenkutsu dachi</i>. <i>Kokutsu dachi</i> is typically used for defense.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Neko ashi dachi (cat leg stance)</span></b><br />
The cat stance is a great stance to defend from. As you practice <a href="https://youtu.be/PYwzoxPO6kc">cat stance</a>, be sure all of the weight is on you back leg and both knees lie over the insteps.<br />
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As you practice this stance, periodically lift your front foot to see if you have to adjust your balance to keep from falling forward. If you do, you need to readjust and get all of your weight on the back leg.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Tsuru Ashi Dachi</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Soke Hausel in crane<br />
stance during karate demo <br />at Chinese New Year.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate_stances"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">crane-foot stance</span></a> (</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">鶴足立</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">), in Japanese is referred to as <i>t<b>suru-ashi dachi</b> (pronounced sue-roo ah-she da-chee). </i>This stanc<i>e </i>appears in many <i>kata</i> in <i>Shorin-Ryu</i> including <i>Pinan Yondan</i>, <i>Gankanku</i>, <i>Hakutsuru Dai</i>, <i>Rohai</i>, <i>Wankan Sho</i>, as well as in many <i>kobudo kata</i> including <i>Seiyo Sai no Kata and Suuji no kun</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The stance is also known as <i><b>sagi-ashi dachi</b></i>, which translates as heron-foot stance (</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">鷺足立</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> ). Typically, it is used in avoidance of foot sweeps, shin or foot strikes, and was featured in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Karate_Kid"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Karate Kid</span></a> movie. In some cases, we interpret its use in <i>kata,</i> as an exercise to assist students in building leg muscle and balance. </span></span><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>Musubi Dachi<i> </i>(</b></span><b><span style="font-family: "songti sc"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">結び立</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> - Joining stance)</span></b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGmH7_ga2Z7_Hxy2tw_uVP49BB-VbNwSmav_OlBsNp1J1RIiYB7CY9RpV2JSN_gS11pUnJ7zVBi7mCVi-3Cebd8eZwJIAfoOEW6oxMynIjg33gmtrdJrIkAWeyBRG8b_P_W3P2YOz-YE/s1600/Musubi+dachi+-+White+Crane+Karate+Clinic+by+Soke+Hausel+%2528Seiyo-Shorinryu.com%2529+2010+copy.JPG" style="clear: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGmH7_ga2Z7_Hxy2tw_uVP49BB-VbNwSmav_OlBsNp1J1RIiYB7CY9RpV2JSN_gS11pUnJ7zVBi7mCVi-3Cebd8eZwJIAfoOEW6oxMynIjg33gmtrdJrIkAWeyBRG8b_P_W3P2YOz-YE/w200-h155/Musubi+dachi+-+White+Crane+Karate+Clinic+by+Soke+Hausel+%2528Seiyo-Shorinryu.com%2529+2010+copy.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Soke stands in musubi dachi at <br />UW clinic in Laramie</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: right;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K3PdVAsQH0GahBfiFQw-nvRV8KSUNyuAwXQrNjKHDbiZwHhXhoHpjhNOKe8ohFBS397IpJ_VSPLjrqpZ8aeFo8ZnHAGr2ejXlOUQOzNHSOeN3XOuZLG6eZ5mzRRNeyMta_uvuVMS3CI/s1600/73px-Musubidachi.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K3PdVAsQH0GahBfiFQw-nvRV8KSUNyuAwXQrNjKHDbiZwHhXhoHpjhNOKe8ohFBS397IpJ_VSPLjrqpZ8aeFo8ZnHAGr2ejXlOUQOzNHSOeN3XOuZLG6eZ5mzRRNeyMta_uvuVMS3CI/s1600/73px-Musubidachi.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">A very important stance in traditional <i>karate</i>, used when we bow, and found at the beginning and ending of <i>kata</i>. The stance, known as <i>'musubi dachi'</i>, is complete with heels touching (joining), and toes split along a 45</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup>o </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">angle. It is used to perform a formal, and respectful bow, <i>rei</i> (</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">礼</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">) - the most important technique (<i>waza</i>) you will use in martial arts.</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Periodically check your feet placement, and be sure your heels touch. This stance is different from <b><i>heisoku-dachi</i></b> (</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">閉足立)</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">, feet together stance), which is rarely used in <i>Shorin-Ryu</i>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b>Iaigoshi-dachi</b> <b>(</b></span><span style="font-family: "songti sc"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>居合腰立</b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b>, Kneeling stance)</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">This stance shows up in a couple of kata such as gankaku, empi, sword-taking kata, nunckaku shodan kata, and others. The stance is used to get below your uke’s strike, or to give you a little extra time against and downward cut or strike. Kneel on the rear leg. with front leg bent. The distance from back to front foot is one shank length plus one fist length, and is typically one fist width wide.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-jw2f7hnaz2e5w91pyPrfZTENXxa2jUUNIFQ6fwWl1kolBEo6b6JS3_pUvIZKVZwlg2Y10PO1d7DGnfvo1uvbtHtXiXBN1Ug42NhiSlPcMzABKhk-qXA-HLoQmeMY_T8Of6RN-ZbUzQ/s1600/Chandler+Arizona+Martial+Arts.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-jw2f7hnaz2e5w91pyPrfZTENXxa2jUUNIFQ6fwWl1kolBEo6b6JS3_pUvIZKVZwlg2Y10PO1d7DGnfvo1uvbtHtXiXBN1Ug42NhiSlPcMzABKhk-qXA-HLoQmeMY_T8Of6RN-ZbUzQ/s320/Chandler+Arizona+Martial+Arts.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Iaigoshi dachi (kneeling stance) demonstrated by<br />Hanshi Neal Adam, 8th dan, at Seiyo Hombu in<br />Mesa, Arizona</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span></div>
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Stances are the foundation of good martial arts and self-defense. As one begins a journey in martial arts, they must first learn to walk and stand. In <i>Shotokan karate</i> (mainland Japanese branch of <i>Shorin-Ryu</i>), students are taught exaggerated wide and deep stances - which are good if you are young or middle aged. But, nearly all Shorin-Ryu systems teach students to stand in more upright, positions. </div>
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When you practice kata, learn which stances are emphasized in each kata bunkai. Some techniques and stances are best for attacking, and some are better for defending, some are better for more than one opponent, others are good for groin protection. Remember, there is a lifetime of learning martial arts, so if you don’t have it right yet, there is still plenty of time.</div>
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<i>"Secret to punch, make power of whole body fit inside one inch, here.” - Mr. Miyagi</i></div>
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There are many different stances in karate. It is most important to practice kata and bunkai in proper stances so that your <a href="https://az-mushin.blogspot.com/">muscles memorize</a> stances so you do not think about them when you defend yourself. Is there a perfect fighting stance? The answer is yes, it is the one that makes your opponent run away. </div>
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<i>"Punch! Drive punch! Not just arm, whole body! Hip, leg, drive punch!” - Mr. Miyagi</i></div>
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As a teenager, I used the perfect stance many times to avoid altercations on the street. Preparing myself, I stepped into a fighting stance (kumite dachi) and nearly every time, my stance defeated my opponent! How?</div>
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In these situations, my potential opponent was shocked and typically asked - "What's this? Karate?” My answer was "Yes"! And just like that, the fight was over with comments from the aggressor stating that he did fight people trained in karate. Or even more interesting were comments about not fighting someone whose hands were registered (not sure who started the rumor that martial artists had to register their hands, but it came in handy [pun intended]). Hopefully, all of your battles will end as easily as many of mine.</div>
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One of the favorite battles happened when I was working as a lecturer at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Hansen_Planetarium">Hansen Planetarium</a> in Salt Lake City as a college student. This event occurred when two female employees from the planetarium walked out to get into their cars one evening and were stopped by two aggressive males who would not allow them to close their car doors and leave. When I walked out into the parking lot, I challenged them. As they walked towards me, I stepped into kokutsu dachi, and like magic, their eyes swelled in their sockets and both turned quickly and ran away. My thought was - wow, my stances are getting really good! But then reality hit me when my co-worker, Louis Williams, ran past me chasing the two thugs with a 2” x 4” in hand.</div>
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I remember an interview with Bruce Lee – I don’t remember where it took place, but it was the talk of the dojo in the 1960s. Some Chinese martial artist was interviewed with Bruce Lee. The individual indicated he had a strong immovable stance; so strong that it was impossible to push him off balance. Lee accepted the challenge. The martial artist took his stance and Lee walked up to him and kicked him in the groin! Not fair, but it moved him. Whether a true story or not, it provided a valuable lesson: block! There is much more to a strong foundation than just a stance.</div>
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Kyoju of Budohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16100625487961987538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587998899219401432.post-64607412075788177562019-11-14T07:46:00.002-08:002022-03-13T14:53:04.467-07:00Karate Stances<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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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 <i>deshi</i> verses that of an old <i>bugeishi. </i>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 <i>Shorin-Ryu</i> over <i>Shotokan</i> - but this is my personal preference.</div>
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When you practice <i>kata</i> in a <i>dojo</i>, be aware of what stances are emphasized in which <i>kata</i> 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, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_(martial_arts)">tameshiwari</a></i> - breaking techniques - are a very minor part of <i>karate</i>. However, it seems that the students of<i> kyokushin kai karate</i> excel at this portion of the art because of their original <i>sokeshodai</i> - Mas Oyama, as do many of the <i>goju</i> schools of <i>karate</i>. Part of the enhancement of breaking was due to Oyama's early association with <i>goju karate</i>. The years I studied both <i>Kyokushinkai</i> and <i>Goju-Ryu</i>, we focused on breaking rocks - simply because they were inexpensive and could be picked up almost anywhere.</div>
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Kyoju of Budohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16100625487961987538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587998899219401432.post-47387289961246711612015-07-30T09:50:00.005-07:002022-03-28T13:54:45.399-07:00Arizona Hombu - the Best Traditional Martial Arts School in Mesa, Arizona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Arizona <i>Hombu</i> (aka <i>Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu</i>)was the top martial arts school with the top martial arts instructor in the Phoenix valley until the school closed in March 2022 because of the plandemic - a scam by the CDC, Fauci, Gates, and likely many corrupt politicians. One day, we will pay our respects to these corrupt people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbu3XoOfJruNlwSACEzSQ3fzzLEWVUoQWB4Au8F3zCQ6HvWhPJVO2uQ8_-KjrFnM9Pfrwxt7_8_jGxYVcN224_W6nRWJGTO9PqrEY1VaMa-dCB8b4tvs7LLDXEogRLqaySYe6vOKZkWt451cqUWWa4kTTNAKZ0a0Zxr7HW1VMFSNIXzAUcs72GbfU/s550/2016%20Best%20of%20MEsa%20award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbu3XoOfJruNlwSACEzSQ3fzzLEWVUoQWB4Au8F3zCQ6HvWhPJVO2uQ8_-KjrFnM9Pfrwxt7_8_jGxYVcN224_W6nRWJGTO9PqrEY1VaMa-dCB8b4tvs7LLDXEogRLqaySYe6vOKZkWt451cqUWWa4kTTNAKZ0a0Zxr7HW1VMFSNIXzAUcs72GbfU/s320/2016%20Best%20of%20MEsa%20award.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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<br />Kyoju of Budohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16100625487961987538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587998899219401432.post-34134186172535878572012-01-02T08:43:00.003-08:002022-03-28T13:58:04.376-07:00Traditional Okinawan Karate Stances<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><i>Soke Hausel demonstrates yoko geri kokomi (side kick) on the 1.4 billion year old Sherman Granite near Happy Jack, Wyoming.</i></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><strong>Kokutsu dachi (back stance) performed during kata training at the </strong><strong>Seiyo Hombu. Some members of the Utah Shorin-Kai visit the <a href="http://azhombu.blogspot.com/">Hombu</a> of Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai to learn karate from Soke Hausel.</strong></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><strong>Ryan Harden takes on a good stance (shiko dachi) to strike opponent with </strong><strong>tonfa.</strong></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Eddie Begaye stands in zenkutsu dachi to defend yoko tobi geri in New</strong><br />
<strong>Mexico against Sensei Hausel in 1975.</strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Yan Ma from the University of Wyoming Campus Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Club demonstrates kokutsu dachi (back stance) during demonstration of Pinan Godan kata.</em></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Tonfa jutsu training in Mesa, Arizona.</em></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBT8DJWFSFIRzmLXNFjWuH_a2Hj8QspVOPwaWfc-F6AfLNf-YmDezXT04idZCe4YoU4mDZMHgaXpSEOHONOVAFJupts9BckCI7jhm1LxIQjc1fjSrsIIOo6_bts-Zud6YwgF7Q5tOCdw/s1600/Luis+applies+ago+senage+on+Todd+at+the+Arizona+Hombu+(Seiyo-ShorinRyu.com)+during+Utah-Arizona+clinic+in+Mesa+and+Gilbert.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBT8DJWFSFIRzmLXNFjWuH_a2Hj8QspVOPwaWfc-F6AfLNf-YmDezXT04idZCe4YoU4mDZMHgaXpSEOHONOVAFJupts9BckCI7jhm1LxIQjc1fjSrsIIOo6_bts-Zud6YwgF7Q5tOCdw/s640/Luis+applies+ago+senage+on+Todd+at+the+Arizona+Hombu+(Seiyo-ShorinRyu.com)+during+Utah-Arizona+clinic+in+Mesa+and+Gilbert.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Good stances are required in nage waza (throwing) techniques as demonstrated by Luis on Todd at the Arizona School of </strong><strong>Traditional Karate in Mesa, Arizona.</strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c6iSPtityJpk7N4iqv__9PywCOSQatLReXBdRSWycO2XH3wNZM6Ne8YsbDW-HCpnq4ZdLpZ0QYwXtYfBL7FPR3171fYyNME6LExdIoFfJCBUwlh301kMugMwOHFUikVp_n0CqzUHVho/s1600/Pinan+Godan+kata+bunkai+training+ArizonaKarate.webs.com.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c6iSPtityJpk7N4iqv__9PywCOSQatLReXBdRSWycO2XH3wNZM6Ne8YsbDW-HCpnq4ZdLpZ0QYwXtYfBL7FPR3171fYyNME6LExdIoFfJCBUwlh301kMugMwOHFUikVp_n0CqzUHVho/s640/Pinan+Godan+kata+bunkai+training+ArizonaKarate.webs.com.JPG" width="564" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>During all training, such as here using bunkai from Pinan Godan kata, emphasis is important</strong><br />
<strong>to place on focus, power and stances. The stance must be perfect to train proper muscle memory</strong></td></tr>
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<br />Kyoju of Budohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16100625487961987538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587998899219401432.post-52162077826602420022010-03-10T13:56:00.004-08:002022-03-28T14:08:02.561-07:00Karate's Perfect Stances<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #ffe599;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mr. Miyagi -</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> [while teaching
Daniel to punch, wearing a catcher's mask and pads] "Secret to punch, make
power of whole body fit inside one inch, here".</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Mr.</strong> </span><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Miyagi</span></b></i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ffe599;"><i>
- "Punch! Drive punch! Not just arm, whole body! Hip, leg, drive punch!</i></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is the basic foundation of karate? The karate stance (<em>dachi</em>)? Can you defend yourself without a good stance?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is the perfect fighting stance?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The stance that causes your attacker to run away.</span></div>
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As a teenager, I remember several instances dragging State Street (the thing to do in the 60s) in a friends car and running into another group of teens looking for trouble. Sometimes we would stop in the middle of the road to fight (or nearly fight), only to have the fight end quickly when I assumed kumite dachi (a stance preparing to fight). The question always came up - "What's this? Karate?" My answer was "Yes"! And just like that, the fight was over with comments about the possible attacker not wanting to fight someone trained in martial arts. Or even more interesting were comments about not fighting someone whose hands were registered (not sure who started that rumor, that martial artists had to register their hands?)</div>
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One of the best scenarios happened when I was working as a lecturer at a planetarium when I was a college student and two ladies from the planetarium walked out to get in their car and were stopped by two aggressive males who would not allow them to close their car door. So I challenged them as any chivalrous male would do. They walked towards me and I stepped into <em>kokutsu dachi</em>. All of a sudden, their eyes widen dramatically and both turned quickly and ran. My first thought was - wow, my stances must be getting really good, just as a co-worker Luis Williams ran up behind me with a 2x4 in his hand. Well, it could have been my stance.</div>
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Many of us are taught stances until they start to come out of our ears. Make a perfect, immovable stance, and you cannot be moved- nice and deep, feet apart!</div>
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I remember hearing about an interview with Bruce Lee – I honestly don’t remember where it took place or if it even occurred, but it was the talk of the dojo in the 1960s. Some martial artist was being interviewed with Bruce Lee. This individual indicated that he had a strong stance; so strong that it was impossible to push him off balance. The story goes that Bruce Lee accepted this challenge. The martial artist took his stance and Bruce Lee walked up to him and easily moved him. How? He kicked him in the groin! Not fair, but it moved him. This person focused so much on his stance that he forgot to block. Whether a true story or not, it provides a valuable lesson: block! A stance is not going to provide much defense.</div>
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Whether you practice a back stance ‘<em>kokutsu dachi’</em>, front stance <em>‘zenkutsu dachi’</em>, cat stance <em>‘neko ashi dachi’</em> or ready stance <em>‘fudo dachi’</em>, these are greatly emphasized in most training systems in karate. In many, they are over emphasized. Kata (our guidebook) emphasizes stances – a back stance or cat stance for distinctly defensive tactics; a front stance for offensive tactics; <em>shiko dachi</em> (sumo stance) for balance; <em>hachi dachi</em> (pigeon toed stance) to protect the groin. Yes, stances need to be emphasized – but how much – and is it important to have a perfect stance?</div>
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When I watch my students perform kata, I will correct someone using <em>zenkutsu dachi</em> when the kata calls for <em>kokutsu dachi</em>, but not all the time. I would like my <em>yudansha</em> to know where traditionally we practice defensive tactics over offensive tactics, but I’m not overly concerned about our <em>mudansha</em> defending or attacking in a <em>kata</em>. I’m more concerned that they are learning stances.</div>
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One of my <em>yudansha</em> has extraordinary technique, and she periodically ends up doing things differently in <em>kata</em> than the rest of the class. Most of the time I let her go and she apologizes but I tell her not to be concerned as her technique is flawless, she is just fighting different <em>samurai</em> than the rest of us. For those of us who have been practicing for years, this periodically happens to all of us. There is nothing wrong with this as it is a natural evolution of <em>kata</em>. As long as you are doing techniques correctly, keep going! We’ll get you back to the same <em>kata</em> later on. Remember katas are guidebooks, not laws!</div>
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When I started karate training as a teenager, there were only a handful of people in my city who trained in karate, and few stuck with it. This was because training methods rivaled training in the military. So intense was our training, that when I served in the US Army years later during the Vietnam war era, I had heard stories of the brutality of basic training. But because of my martial arts training, I didn’t see it was all that physically difficult. The problem I found was having someone constantly telling me what to do (I was never good at following orders) and the other was that the Army had total control over my life, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. I don't like anyone telling me what to do - especially not the government!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Follow Me on <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/scottmorefield/2022/03/26/after-elon-musk-blasts-twitter-for-censorship-free-speech-lovers-call-on-him-to-take-action-n2605084">Twitter</a>.</b> Well, maybe not. I'm a proud American and like many Americans, <i><a href="https://cybernews.com/privacy/is-there-censorship-on-twitter/">twitter</a></i> banded me for telling the truth at about the same time the deleted President Trump. Actually, do everyone a favor and dump twit, <a href="https://default.salsalabs.org/Tb7122df1-250f-46e5-9312-fa83a2670abe/0669d0e9-d784-40b8-ac01-35c744ce9bf6">farcebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/12/17/linkedin-hit-with-censorship-accusations-removing-critics-government-covid-policies">Finked</a>-In. These social media sites do not represent your better interest, unless you are hoping to be <a href="https://globalpossibilities.org/bill-gates-admits-vaccines-are-best-way-to-depopulate/ https://youtu.be/-WFa4bHC0Do ">depopulated</a>.</div>
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During basic training at Fort Polk, the Army did their best to make sure no one received enough sleep (at least when I was paying for karate lessons, I got to sleep 8 hours a day). The continuous exercise combined with sleep deprivation invited every virus for hundreds of miles around to make themselves at home in any soldier – it resulted in many illnesses. Sooner or later, every trainee was on first name basis with every virus: myself, I caught pneumonia (as did many) but was still forced to train and run everywhere. Other than Sundays, I don’t remember getting 8 hours of sleep any night. The Army’s philosophy was that a soldier in combat needed to be tested under all conditions – my philosophy was that a well-rested soldier was a happy soldier without pneumonia. Other than training constantly, running or marching everywhere with a potentially life-threatening disease, the physical training in the Army seemed to be less demanding than my karate training. I actually enjoyed the physical demands (until I became ill).</div>
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The problem with this kind of philosophy or training in karate classes, is that most people are not captive audiences and they can just walk away without a 2-day pass or court martial. They are not going to volunteer to be put through brutality day end and day out. Training in karate must balance physical, mental and spiritual fitness – it needs to be interesting. The idea of doing the same thing over and over again is appalling. For myself, I trained in a variety of arts. I also try to come up with a variety of different ways to do the same exercise.</div>
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In the first years in karate, we spent a lot of time focusing on stances and body hardening. In particular, we spent hours and hours in ‘kiba dachi’. Much of the emphasis on kiba dachi was because our sensei wanted to strengthen our legs (and it worked) and because we trained in a small dojo with little room to maneuver. So much of our kihon (basics) was practiced in place from kiba dachi. We would kick, block and punch in kiba dachi: sometimes the entire evening in this stance. We would stand in a normal kiba dachi, then over emphasize the squat to help build muscle and kick and punch in a normal, deep, and greatly exaggerated deep stance. It taught me about extremes and made me a better runner (not that I like to run). But was it necessary?</div>
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The initial style I trained in was developed by Masutatsu Oyama who was known for extremes in training and for pushing his students to the limit. It was a very successful style for Oyama.</div>
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But are these stances necessary for karate? The answer is <em>hai</em> (yes) and <em>iie</em> (no). The great Shorin-Ryu master, Gichin Funakoshi wrote - low stances are for beginners and high stances for the advanced student. And I agree with this. Deep stances look nice and should be practiced in the beginning to assist the student in focusing on the stance. But as instructors, we should not go crazy over stances. I remember reading an article years ago where the author suggested that getting into and out of a stance is more important than the stance and one must be fluid in self-defense.</div>
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The other night, Sharon and I were watching Fight Science. This program was dedicated to the wushu styles of China. It was a great program. A White Crane kung fu stylist stood on a tiny plate attached to a pole in suru ashi dachi (one legged crane stance) 8 feet in the air while someone threw shurikens (star darts) at him - he successfully avoided them and remained in the one-legged stance. A praying mantis stylist showed his style with fluidity. He was then placed in a bubble room with several hundred flies to see how many he could catch in a few minutes. My thoughts were of the IHOP we visited in Grand Junction a couple of summers ago. Filled with flies, I had a contest with the people in our neighboring booth on how many flies we could strike in mid-flight. While watching the Fight Science program, I had to wonder with hundreds of more flies than at the IHOP how many did he swallow during this demo? Ugh! At the end of the program, the audience was treated to the Tiger Wushu stylist. His stances were deep and powerful and his strikes fast with tremendous force. Using a dummy made of ballistic gelatin, he ripped out the throat with his tiger claw strike that was very impressive. The force of his strike - 2400 pounds!</div>
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Anyway, stances should be emphasized to the new student – but not over-emphasized. If one were to take a look at historical photos of Okinawan martial artists from the early part of the 20th century and compare them to those of today, there is a noticeable difference in depth. Deep stances were almost non-existent. Students should learn proper stances and learn muscle balance, but stances need to be practical. Using Funakoshi’s precept – a student should learn deeper stances and focus on balance, but this should lead to relatively shallow stances as the student masters karate. </div>
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As one progresses, it is more important to learn to move from one stance to another and depth of a stance is unimportant (other than in stances like shiko dachi and kiba dachi). The horse-riding and sumo stances should be emphasized as deep stances because they are often used when there is a danger that an attacker can fall on the defender’s leg. This helps protect the defender from knee injury.</div>
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Our <em>Taikyoku Sandan kata</em> emphasizes a short (shallow) stance following <em>gedan barai</em> (down block). This was placed in this basic <em>kata</em> to help beginning students learn both deep and shallow stances.</div>
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Look at the historical photos I placed in this article. Examine the stances. These are all performed by some of the great martial artists in the past. Are the stances deep or shallow?</div>
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So to answer my initial question - can you defend yourself without a good stance? First, what is a good stance? This would be different for different people. And yes, you can defend yourself without a good stance.</div></div></div><div id="tt-photos"><div id="tt-carousel-container"></div>
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