Assume a Cat Stance

The three basic stances of martial arts are the cat stance, horse stance, and bow-and-arrow stance. Many other stances are based off of these three. They are "basic," not in the elementary sense, but in the fact that they are fundamental, and have other techniques and stances based off of them.

Steps

  1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder width apart, parallel to each other.
  2. Place your non-dominant foot forward by taking one step in front of you. There should be about a foot’s length from the toes of your back foot, to the heel of your front foot.
  3. Twist your back foot out to a 45-degree angle from the parallel your foot is in.
  4. Lean back and put about 90% of your weight on your back foot, leaving about 10% of your weight on your front foot.
  5. Slightly lift the front leg and rest the front foot on its toes.
  6. Lift up your dominant arm and caress your cheek with that hand.
  7. Move your dominant hand laterally away from your face approximately {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
  8. Raise your non-dominant hand and hold it loosely out in front of you. The elbow bent at about 90-degrees and the hand slightly to the left of your line of sight.
  9. You are now in the cat stance!

Tips

  • This stance works well with Shuto (Knife Hand), and most other blocks.
  • This introduction assumes a no handedness rule. So have fun!
  • If asked what the original Japanese name is, say Neko Ashi Dachi.

Warnings

  • Caution: Using this stance to fight with your friends is ill-advised. Serious injury or death can occur.

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