The Silk Thread of Gorindo - Ottawa - Canada
Issue 13
Photo cover Claudio Iedwab sensei, November 2011, by Roxanne Standefer
Basic Stances
Kiba-dachi
From parallel stance, heiko-dachi, move your left foot outside and separate the feet to double the distance of the width of your shoulders. Distribute the body weight equally in both legs. Drop the center of gravity by flexing the knees and pushing the knees outside until they are in a vertical line that falls just in the inner side of both feet, beside the big toes. Both knees open outside while the adductor muscles will tense the legs to the inside. Two imaginary parrallel lines passing through the center of the feet are pointing forward. Ensure that the weight is distributed to the outside edge of the foot and the metatarsal.
Maintain the alignment of the ankle joint with a gentle tension toward the outside. You will notice that the arch of the feet will become more pronounced. Feel as if your body weight is on the edge of both feet, and gradually exercise the ankle joints to adopt a natural and perpendicular position to the floor.
Tuck the pelvis inside as if you are trying to orient the knot of your belt forward and upward, so your lower back, lumbar area, is not exaggerated in its curve. This will allow for natural and comfortable breathing using the abdominal muscles.
Ensure that you are feeling the tension on the cuadriceps muscles, while flexing the knees, not on the calves, this is an indication of exaggerated flexion of the knees and ankles joints.
Common Corrections
• Stance longer than a double distance between the sholder. It may seems stable but impedes mobility from the stance.
• Knees not bent sufficiently leaving stance too high and unstable or flexion of the knees too far forward beyond the line of your toes.
• Tension exaggerated on the knees by trying to position them outside and beyond the inside line of your feet.
• Knees pointing inside.
• Too much weight placed on the inside area of the feet and arches.
• Leaning forward, backward or to the side.
• See ‘Some Advice About... Stances’ for general tips common to all stances.
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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