The Silk Thread of Gorindo - Ottawa - Canada
Issue 13
Photo cover Claudio Iedwab sensei, November 2011, by Roxanne Standefer
Basic Stances
Kokutsu-dachi
From parallel stance, heiko-dachi, step back with one foot turning it out at a 90° angle counterclockwise to a position in line with the back of the left heel. With a shin’s distance between the feet, lower the hips and bend both knees slightly. The rear leg is bent with slight pressure to the outside, aligning the knee over the big toe. It is important that the edge of the rear hip also be in this line.
The forward foot is slightly pointing inside, with the outside edge straight in line with the direction of travel. To make this adjustment the heel should move outside rather than the toes inside.It is the inside edge of the toes that are in line with the back of the other heel.
When you do the step, always touch the ground first with the toes and metatarsal, and after with the heel. Lower your body weight and move smoothly and silently without stepping hard on the floor.
Check body position by setting your hands on your hips above the belt, obi, with your elbows pointing out and it will help you to visualize the direction of your hips and shoulders. For kokutsu-dachi, back stance, the hips and upper body generally face 45° or half-front position, hanmi. Always maintain your back straight and perpendicular to the ground with the eyes looking ahead, not to the ground.
The body weight is distributed 60% in the rear leg and 40% to the front. This stance is very stable to the backward direction.
Remember
• Control your balance by remaining centered and low. When walking, move the feet close in a straight line without opening your knees, but avoid touching one foot to the other.
• See ‘Some Advice About... Stances’ for general tips common to all stances.
Common Corrections
• Stance too short in length with too much weight back sometimes confused with cat stance, nekoashi-dachi.
• Knees not bent sufficiently, leaving stance too high and unstable.
• Stance longer than a shin’s distance between the feet, which impedes mobility.
• Too much weight placed on the front foot, giving an apparently solid stance but losing mobility.
• Too much flexion of the back knee or an incorrect angle can produce injuries to the joint and ankle. Be accurate here.
• Be careful to not turn down the rear ankle. Ensure that the weight is distributed to the outside edge of the foot and the metatarsal.
• Locking the forward leg knee joint straight instead of the correct relaxed bend with weight lowered.
• Leaning forward, backward or to the side.
• The forward foot pointing outside, will not work as a ‘brake’, or pointing too much inside.
• Rear foot not at correct 90° angle, reducing the opportunity to rotate and control the hip motion.
• Placing forward foot too far inside making the stance very narrow and unstable.
by Claudio Iedwab & Roxanne Standefer
Originallly published in the Gorindo Student Manual and “The Secret Art of Health & Fitness – Uncovered from the Martial Arts Masters” by Claudio Iedwab & Roxanne Standefer
©2011 Photo by Roxanne Standefer / Illustrations by Claudio Iedwab
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