Good afternomorning my Fubaraholics! Hope you are found well today, and if not hope you are just found!
This is the last of these basics blogs. After this I can talk to you about the forms themselves! (cause then you'll understand!)The last thing we have to cover is stances. The way you stand to deliver or receive an attack can be just as important, and many times, more important then the attack. These control accuracy, balance, movement, pretty much all that is involved in TKD.
Stances are the breath of life in a fight. They can harm or save. If you have any questions ask me!
Choon Bee - This is the ready stance, the basis and starting position of all stances. Very simple. Start with the feet together, then step out with the left foot till its right about shoulder width. The hands come up to the chin area then come to rest in front about belt high, hands in fists.
Front stance - This is the bread and butter stance of most all martial arts. This is a strong and quick stance. To perform this you stand with your feet a little wider then your shoulders then stepout wide and long with one leg. This leg bears most of the weight of your body. The knee is bent on the front leg while the back leg is straight. Feet facing forward as well as chest being square to the target.
Walking stance - This is an odd stance to get used to at first. Its very simple. Take your feet shoulder wide facing front, and step normally. That is the stance!
Fighting stance (side stance) - this is most common when fighting/sparring, etc. Take your feet at shoulder width, step back with one foot till they are facing mostly to the side with the hands held up to protect the body and head. The back foot most often is held at a 90% angle to the front and the front foot is usually at a 45% angle, but that can be subjective.
Back stance - This is similar position to the fighting stance, but the front foot is facing forward and the weight is shifted toward the back leg, similar to sitting on a bar stool.
Horse-back riding stance - This is more a training stance, though in rare instances can be used outside. To do this you step out from the Choon bee stance with the left foot again to a width wider then the shoulders. Your feet face forward with the knees drawn in slightly. Your body is straight up and down. the last step is to sit as on a bar stool, knees bent slightly. This can build allot of muscle in the leg when held right.
Cat stance - this is a more advanced and at first awkward stance. This starts out similar to a back stance with the front leg being drawn close to the back leg arched up on the toes. 98% of all the weight is on the back leg with the front ready to whip out or move.
Tiger stance - This is a deep stance (I still cant fully do it) this is where you slide to a back stance then kneel till your weight rests on your back leg and your front leg is bent ready to help you spring forward. Very awkward to do and difficult to explain.
There are a few other stances, but rarely used and rarely done so I wont worry about covering them. Now that we have our basics covered I can start talking about the forms them selves! Next week we will cover the first couple forms and I will try to include the video so it can be visually seen as well! Till then, you stay classy Fubar!
