Heels together with toes pointing outward forming a 60° angle.
Heiko-dachi (Parallel stance) [A Goju-ryu stance]
Feet shoulder width apart, parellel with toes pointing forward.
Soto Hachiji-dachi (Open natural stance)
Feet shoulder width apart with toes pointed out at a 45° angle.
Shizentai-dachi (Natural walking stance)
Heels about one fist (or foot) width apart. Step forward a natural distance,
about one foot length + one fist width. Turn back foot
outward so the toes point out at a 45° angle.
Nekoashi-dachi (Cat stance)
From a Shizentai-dachi all shift weight onto back
leg and lift the heel of front foot leaving the ball of foot on
the floor. Lower hips until
front knee is directly over the front toes.
Shiko-dachi, Jigotai-dachi (Wide open-leg stance)
Point toes outward at a 45° angle. Lower hips until knees are directly
over toes.
The proper distance between the feet is determined by kneeling on one knee with
that foot’s heel pointing straight up. Place the other foot
one fist distance in front of the knee.
Stand
up
without letting
feet change positions.
Naihanchi-dachi (Straddle-leg stance)
Same as Shiko-dachi, only feet parallel, pointing forward.
From a Shiko-dachi, straighten one leg and turn that foot parellel to the other
foot.
Zenkutsu-dachi (Front-leg-bent stance)
Straighten the rear leg and bend the front
leg until the knee is directly over the toes. Turn the rear foot outward
to form a 45° angle and turn the hips forward. Distance is the same
as Shiko-dachi.
Kokutsu-dachi (Back-leg-bent stance)
Formed the same way as Zenkutsu-dachi, except that the back leg is bent and the
front leg is straight.
Kosa-dachi (Cross-leg stance)
Balance on one leg. Bend the leg and turn the foot to a 45° angle. Cross the
other leg behind the balancing leg and press the knees together.
Place the toes on the floor behind the balancing foot’s heel.
Ippon-ashi-dachi (One leg stance)
This one-leg stance can be used to block kicks. Ippon-ashi-dachi is formed by
balancing on one leg. Turn the balancing foot outward about 45°.
Raise the other leg off the floor. Keeping the thigh and foot of
the raised
leg parellel
to the
floor and the other foot.
Iaigoshi-dachi (Kneeling stance)
This kneeling stance is typically used to strike an opponent that is lying down.
It is formed by kneeling on one knee with the toes of that foot on
the floor. The other foot is about a fist width in front
of
and
to the side of the knee on the floor. The upright knee is directly
over the toes of the front foot.
