Almost every major traditional wushu system starts with horse stance training and most students grit and grimace as they try to hold the stance low and for hours on end. Many practitioners consider such training as "external". However, horse stance training in the baji/pigua system is much more complex. Many traditional martial arts practitioners in the past did not clearly differentiate training into external and internal and when properly explained, the baji horse stance training could be interpreted as "internal" as much as it is "external".(6)
It is critically important that horse stance training be carefully done, since it is representative of many of the structural postures found throughout the initial training phases of the system. Contrary to popular belief that northern systems employ wide, deep stances, baji employs a relatively deep horse stance but only about a fist beyond shoulder width. And also contrary to popular belief, the depth of the stance is not "as deep as you can go". The proper depth varies from individual to individual, and is primarily determined by body structure in the following manner (see figures ) :
The myth that one must hold this posture for months on end until one has earned the right of passage into the system is quite exaggerated. In the baji system one can almost immediately begin to work on a variation of movements employing this basic horse stance. This would also include some of the most basic fighting applications of the system.
One of the first variations in the horse stance training involves the development of full-body punching power from a relatively static posture, shifting from a horse to a bow stance. The practitioner starts in the horse stance described above, with only one arm extended forward while the other is placed at the side of the body. The elbow points downward and a relaxed hollow fist is held. At first, movement starts with the feet, which rotate into a bow stance while simultaneously the fist held at the side comes forward and the front hand is pulled back to the side. Then you return to a horse stance with the punching hand extended outward. The same movement is then done with the opposite side of the bow stance. The body from the feet to the waist twists, literally rolling the punching hand from the waist while the extended hand pulls back - the arm movements resemble a system of pulleys (see 2-A through 2-E). These movements are much more complex in effect than they look and are often misinterpreted as simple punching.
First, the "silk-reeling energy" (chan si jing) is developed through the feet, up through the waist and out through the arm. The arm punching forward is thrown by the twisting motion of the waist, feet, and legs. But, equally important is the withdrawing arm, pulling back with as much power as the one thrusting forward.
The entire body is held in a relaxed state until the punch is fully extended and the body set in a bow stance. At that time, for one split second, everything is tightened, as the fist makes contact with its imagined target, then relaxation immediately occurs.
Initially, this exercise is done slowly. Often the punch is held in the bow stance to check for correct alignment and can be held for a number of relaxed breathing counts. As the practitioner's foundation is further developed, the punches are speeded up, going from horse to right bow stance, right bow stance to horse stance, and horse to left bow stance.
Attaining the proper structural alignment in this relatively simple looking exercise is extremely critical, for it is incorporated within almost every moving posture and fighting application of the system. As part of his daily drills with Chiang Kai-shek's bodyguards, Grandmaster Liu insisted that they execute at least one-hundred of these punches in sets of two, one to each side. Liu continued this regimen on a daily basis well into his late seventies. However, these postures are only the beginning. The next step in the developmental process calls for more dynamic movement and more complex technique.
It is critically important that horse stance training be carefully done, since it is representative of many of the structural postures found throughout the initial training phases of the system. Contrary to popular belief that northern systems employ wide, deep stances, baji employs a relatively deep horse stance but only about a fist beyond shoulder width. And also contrary to popular belief, the depth of the stance is not "as deep as you can go". The proper depth varies from individual to individual, and is primarily determined by body structure in the following manner (see figures ) :
- Start in upright position, very relaxed, with proper foot alignment, and the legs a little beyond shoulder width apart.
- Sink, bending the knees to where the thigh/kua area, knee to ankle area, and the length of the space extending from the back hip area to the ground behind the heels, form an equilateral triangle.
- Simultaneously raise and extend your arms up and outward to the point where the elbows are pointed towards the ground and a light hollowed fist is held in front (this should resemble the grip on a car's steering wheel without using force). You must be relaxed!
- The feet point straight forward with the knees tilting slightly inward so that the kua area is rounded, and
- The back is relatively straight.
The myth that one must hold this posture for months on end until one has earned the right of passage into the system is quite exaggerated. In the baji system one can almost immediately begin to work on a variation of movements employing this basic horse stance. This would also include some of the most basic fighting applications of the system.
One of the first variations in the horse stance training involves the development of full-body punching power from a relatively static posture, shifting from a horse to a bow stance. The practitioner starts in the horse stance described above, with only one arm extended forward while the other is placed at the side of the body. The elbow points downward and a relaxed hollow fist is held. At first, movement starts with the feet, which rotate into a bow stance while simultaneously the fist held at the side comes forward and the front hand is pulled back to the side. Then you return to a horse stance with the punching hand extended outward. The same movement is then done with the opposite side of the bow stance. The body from the feet to the waist twists, literally rolling the punching hand from the waist while the extended hand pulls back - the arm movements resemble a system of pulleys (see 2-A through 2-E). These movements are much more complex in effect than they look and are often misinterpreted as simple punching.
First, the "silk-reeling energy" (chan si jing) is developed through the feet, up through the waist and out through the arm. The arm punching forward is thrown by the twisting motion of the waist, feet, and legs. But, equally important is the withdrawing arm, pulling back with as much power as the one thrusting forward.
The entire body is held in a relaxed state until the punch is fully extended and the body set in a bow stance. At that time, for one split second, everything is tightened, as the fist makes contact with its imagined target, then relaxation immediately occurs.
Initially, this exercise is done slowly. Often the punch is held in the bow stance to check for correct alignment and can be held for a number of relaxed breathing counts. As the practitioner's foundation is further developed, the punches are speeded up, going from horse to right bow stance, right bow stance to horse stance, and horse to left bow stance.
Attaining the proper structural alignment in this relatively simple looking exercise is extremely critical, for it is incorporated within almost every moving posture and fighting application of the system. As part of his daily drills with Chiang Kai-shek's bodyguards, Grandmaster Liu insisted that they execute at least one-hundred of these punches in sets of two, one to each side. Liu continued this regimen on a daily basis well into his late seventies. However, these postures are only the beginning. The next step in the developmental process calls for more dynamic movement and more complex technique.
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