How Do You Do The Horse Riding Stance In Kung Fu?
The horse riding stance, also known simply as the horse stance, is one of the most common stances in the martial arts. Found in northern- and southern-based kung fu styles, it is used as a basic stance for training exercises as well as in combat. With its wide footing and even weight distribution, a properly executed horse stance is one of the most stable stances in kung fu. Begin with your feet approximately shoulder length apart for southern-style stances and 1 1/2 to 2 shoulder lengths apart for northern-style horse stances. Sometimes the wider footing is called a deep horse stance. Drop your body by sinking with your knees. Keep your back and shoulders straight with your heels, spine and head aligned. Lower your body until the top of your head is approximately at normal eye level for the southern-style horse or about at normal chin height for northern-style or deep horse. Keeping your eyes straight ahead, raise your fists to the sides, palms up and elbows back. Depending on the sty
