Siu Lim Tau stance

[jaycam]

james said:

it has also been mentioned that the stance leads to undue pressure on the base of the spine, and that the more traditional horse-stances are much better for posture and strength training.

Hi James,

I have buggered my back a number of times so have learned to feel when something is "wrong". I feel that the stance becomes more comfortable when you push your hips out more and lean on the heels. I am obviously no wing chun expert so this might be totally wrong but thought I would chime in. When my hips are not pushed forward I feel an unatural twist in my hips and pelvis which goes away when the hips are moved forwards.

J.

[Dan]

Yer hips pushed out is how it should be

[tjwingchun]

admin said:

Yer hips pushed out is how it should be

But not too far!

The main aspect of understanding the basic stance is that in essence it is two separate stances facing left and right and not forward, it is preparation for both leg strength and structure.

When thinking of knee positioning it should be related to the heel-knee-hip-shoulder-elbow alignment when applying energy through the structure.

With the basic stance the tension should be in the back of the thighs and buttocks with the weight over the heels, and your toes should still be visible when you look down.

A straight line from shoulder down back through the hips and to the knee help to create a strong posture able to withstand the energy pushed through the system at the moment of impact, any slouching will result in a buckling at the weakest point and possible back injuries.

Just passing through and thought I would add a few spanners! ;D

[Dan]

you say ''your toes should still be visible when you look down.''

But in my sil lim tao stance there is no chance of seeing my toe's but i do have quite small feet but still i think if you can see your toes then your not in stance properly if you watch ip man doing it he sinks low.

[Dan]

but then i use this stance to train my leg musscles... for a fighting stance i personally would not sink low or push my hips out much, but thats a different matter i guess.

[mariachi50]

i think its personal preference but if you see many videos and pictures i believe that you grasp the idea.