WhiteBelt Posted May 20, 2003 Posted May 20, 2003 In my Karate classes the low stances are for training, and art. While we are doing drills we are expected to be very low, where the focus of the training is on memory and foot work. Durring a kata presentation the low stances simply look better. However, when it comes to sparring we are taught to keep a high and mobile stance, which isn't a set stance. As far as why they originally had stances that low, I'm not completely sure. From the different sources that I've read, it could be a combination of terrain, exercise & conditioning, and for power. It has always been said that the stances are only a instant in an attack, so it sounds like they never stayed in a stance. Also, durring their drills they were also smashing things (wood, rocks, etc.) into their legs to condition them...
Recommended Posts