Stances
International Health Qigong Federation

Stances

Bing Bu (Feet Together Stance) – Both feet together parallel to each other.

Kai Bu (Parallel Stance) – Spread the feet parallel to shoulder width. Keep the toes pointing towards the front.

Ta Kai Bu (Double Parallel Stance) – Spread the feet double the shoulder width. Keep the toes pointing towards the front.

Ma Bu (Horse Stance) – The stance typically begins with the feet a shoulder-width apart. The feet are parallel, straight forward, and the knees are bent at 90 degrees. The torso sinks down as if following a plum line and the sacrum curves forward and in or arches. Equal weighting (50-50) is given to each foot, making for a very stable stance. Ma Bu is frequently used for conditioning and building up knee strength.

Ban Ma Bu (Half Horse Stance) – Similar to Ma Bu, but the torso and the front foot are turned sideways.

Gong Bu (Bow Stance) – Also known as Deng Shan Bu (Mountain-Climbing Stance) or Gong Jian Bu (Bow and Arrow Stance). The lead foot is pointed straight ahead, with the lead leg bent slightly. The trailing foot is angled outward at a 45 degree angle, with the heel lined up with the heel of the leading foot. The trailing leg can be held straight or slightly bent. The result is a “lunging” pose. The given weighting is 70% on the front foot and 30% on the rear.

Kai Ma Bu (Flat Stance) – Other names include Pu Bu and Fu Hu Bu (Tame the Tiger Stance). In this position, the martial artist squats on one leg until the thigh is parallel to the ground and extends the other leg out to the side. Both feet are parallel and pointing forward, relative to the torso and the practitioner faces the opponent with his/her side.

Ding Bu (Empty Stance) – Also known as Xu Bu, Xuan Ji Bu (False/Tricky Leg Stance), or Mao Bu (Cat Stance). It is assumed by placing one’s entire body weight on a single leg and extending the other leg in front to lightly touch the ground. Since the frontal leg has no weight placed on it, it can be used to launch fast kicks. A variation of this stance is performed by maintaining both feet together.

Qiang Dian Bu (Standing Upright Stance) – Both legs are straight. The leg in front lightly touches the ground.

Lau Ma Bu (Rest Stance) – Also named Xie Bu or Zuo Pan Bu (Sitting on Crossed Legs Stance). It can be assumed by beginning in Ma Bu, pivoting counterclockwise on the right toe, and crouching down with the back straight. The result is a cross-legged stance that can be used for initiating attacks or defending, while facing the opponent with one’s side. The crossed legs protect the groin from attacks and prepare the practitioner for a side kick. A variation of this stance is performed by resting the rear leg on the ground.

Chueng Bu (Four-Six Stance) – Also known as Si-Liu Bu. It is named for the fact that 40% of the weight is on the leading foot and 60% on the rear foot. The stance is somewhat similar to Deng Shan Bu, with the exception of the greater weight distribution over the rear leg. The lead foot is oriented slightly to its opposite side (left foot gravitates right; vice versa) and the rear foot is almost aligned with it. The rear knee is turned inward toward the groin and the front knee is bent.

Kuo Ma Bu (Crane Stance) – Also named Jin Ji Du Li. It is formed by raising one knee to its maximum height. The facing can be either to the front or the side, relative to the opponent.

Tun Bu (Swallow Stance) – Also known as Qi Xing Bu. It is formed by squatting on a single leg until the thigh is parallel to the ground and extending the other foot to touch the ground. Unlike Pu Bu, the extended foot contacts the ground with only the heel and faces forward.

​Qi Lin Bu (Unicorn Stance) – It is similar in appearance to Xie Bu, with the exception that the frontal foot’s toes point to the left or right.

Gui Bu (Kneeling Stance) – The rear knee touches the ground, while the front leg is bent.

Cha Bu (Crossing Stance) – Also known as Gai Bu. Crossing the legs transitioning forward or backwards.

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