8 Basic Stance Exercises

The 8 Basic Stance Exercises are the basis for all of the stances in our Northern Shaolin System. Though hand movements are part of these exercises, the main focus is the stance and foot work. This foundational material is meant to give you the stances needed for all of the forms that will follow. Without proper stance training, your forms and self defense will suffer and be deficient. However, with proper stance training, you will build a strong root which will lead to power, speed, and coordination.

These 8 Basic stances also have variations. These variations are not counted in the 8 Basic Stances, as these stances form the foundation for all other stances in the Northern Shaolin Style.

READY POSITION/READY STANCE is the opening to all of our Shaolin material. All stances start from here.

Stance Name: READY POSITION

Stance Name (American)	Ready Position/Ready Stance
Stance Name (Chinese)
Weight Distribution	50/50

Description: Ready Position - Heels together toes turned out 45 degrees, legs straight - back straight - hands at sides, forming Willow Leaf Palm. Ready Stance - The first movement of all stances is to remain standing in the ready position, fist both palms, then draw them up to the top of the hip, fist heel touching hip. NOTE: ALL Open Palms are Willow Leaf or Shaolin Palms.

Ready Position	Ready Stance

Return To Ready Position

• Hand Forms • Basic Skills • Stances • Kicks • Blocking Drills • Training Forms • Lien Bu Chuan •

• Up • Shaolin History • Shaolin System • Lineage • Training Schedule • Level 2 • Level 3 • Level 4 • Level 5 •
• Home • About • Academy Training • Virtual Training • Store • Library •

China Hand Kung Fu Academy
1015 Cedar Bridge Avenue
Brick, NJ 08723
Sifu@chinahand.com