Stances (high/low/etc) this is an age old question. Everyone who mentioned creating muscle strength and flexibility is correct. One could make a study of "masters" only to find that many of them were looking for health benefits from their system or style. Name a sporting activity that can be performed without the use of legs... OK, the proper use of legs is fundamental. They need to be in "good shape". So do whatever is necessary to attein them. "Modern" stances are the product of the "rules of the game". Study the rules and much of the form will emerge. A serious study of stance is fundamental. A style may have only 7 stances each representing a best case scenario for one particular event. How many variations are there between a backstance and a forward stance? Each 1/8" means a slightly different way of contracting muscles... effecting your techniques effectiveness. The question is not: low vs. high or beginner vs. advanced stances. It's related to the concept of effectiveness. Your mind/body or hands/feet or shoulders/knees or wrists/angles etc working together. What is a good stance? What is a better stance? What is the concept of "pressure" to the floor? how is it done? Can you explain these from experience or only by repeating what someone has taught you, like a parrot? Keep training...
