HORSE STANCE

[Brandon Fisher]

Thanks guys you reminded me of when I used to stand in kiba-dachi and watch tv. I had forgotten about that.

Thanks for the nice words about my advice also.

[kivikala]

Any advice as to how to hold horse stance for a longer periods of time?

I believe the key to endurance kibe-dachi practice is simply spirit. Having the will to "tough it out" to carry on with strong focus and determination. There is no "practice" for this. You just "do it". You endure.

Having gone through something like twenty special training's with Tsutomu Ohshima and having to endure 90 minutes of kibe-dachi practice in each, I have seen the efforts of beginners and long-time black belts. The first timers easily withstood the ordeal with gentle words of encouragement (i.e. 150 people yelling at them to get lower or we'll have to start all over again!) After the first time it's all down hill from there. That is until next session where you have to do... 45 minutes kokutsu-dachi on each leg! Somehow everyone always completes the practice.

[cathal]

Any advice as to how to hold horse stance for a longer periods of time?

I believe the key to endurance kibe-dachi practice is simply spirit. Having the will to "tough it out" to carry on with strong focus and determination. There is no "practice" for this. You just "do it". You endure.

Having gone through something like twenty special training's with Tsutomu Ohshima and having to endure 90 minutes of kibe-dachi practice in each, I have seen the efforts of beginners and long-time black belts. The first timers easily withstood the ordeal with gentle words of encouragement (i.e. 150 people yelling at them to get lower or we'll have to start all over again!) After the first time it's all down hill from there. That is until next session where you have to do... 45 minutes kokutsu-dachi on each leg! Somehow everyone always completes the practice.

That is a very good point, the power of your mind is a major factor in allowing your body to do something. Keeping an open mind to allow for such activities is quite crucial. If you think you can't do more than five minutes, then you aren't going to. If you think you can do it for 90 minutes then you will. Perhaps a training partner can help you out for the words of encouragement.

[KarateK]

Am finding kibadachi and shikodachi impossible at the moment with my knee injury. Have found though that widening my stance lessens the pressure on my knee

[Shotokan-kez]

I remember on a martial arts programme called fight school the contenders had to stand in this stance holding plates on their fingertips. This was what you call endurance!

[Shui Tora]

When doing Horse Stance, your knees should be bent outwards, your butt tucked in, and your feet firmly on the ground, pointing in the direction that you're facing... Remember to keep your back straight and shoulders should be slightly back...

[HG]

Any advice as to how to hold horse stance for a longer periods of time?

I generally can hold horse stance for about 2 minutes....but I'm trying to aim for 5+ minutes...

There is no shortcut to a strong horse stance. Ask your Sifu/Sensei to correct your body posture & alignment. Then make it part of your daily practice. Results will come.

[alsey]

practice is all it takes. try holding it for just a little longer each time you do it, even if it is just another five seconds. just by standing the in stance your body will get better at it. breath deeply all the way down into the abdomen while you hold the stance. focus on your breath, not your legs.

[aefibird]

practice is all it takes. try holding it for just a little longer each time you do it, even if it is just another five seconds. just by standing the in stance your body will get better at it. breath deeply all the way down into the abdomen while you hold the stance. focus on your breath, not your legs.

Very good point. A lot of people tend to get tense when in kiba-datchi for any length of time - the pain hits them and they tighten up and 'forget' to breathe.

Concentrating on your breathing - deeply and slowly - will help you as you are focusing on your breath and keeping that same 'in...out...' rhythm, rather than thinking "oww, oww, oww, my legs hurt, please can I stop NOW!?!?!"

[AngelaG]

You could always try the Roman Chair. Get your back against a wall and bend your knees until your bottom is parallel with your knees. Hold the stance as long as possible.

When it *really* aches come up an inch or so for a little while, and then go down that little bit further before.

Anything like walking, exercise bikes etc. will also help strengthen your leg muscles.

The most important thing in kibadachi is to take your mind off the pain, so watch TV, have a chat or do some upper body techniques.