As I started out last post. Stances are cultural, as are the various methods of applied self defense. Deep stances are not practical for a self defense that is not attuned to the uses of stances like that. In Kenpo, in the US, we have, perhaps, culturally, evolved, in this case, to a higher stance and more mobility. American Kenpo types of blocks have evolved to fit that type of stancing and mobility, as well as have the attack weapons.
If we begin to involve modifications that change zones, balance, and bases for attack, and defense, then the techniques will have to follow suite. They too will have to change. Blocking will have to be different, more along the lines of Tracy's Kenpo or Sub-Level 4 (which also uses stancing and base in a different and highly interesting and enlightening manner).
Why is that? Because when you go to a denser or more solid, and lower base, you change the zones that you have to defend, and how you defend them... You change areas of attack on the opponent's body that you have access to and how you get that access. You also change the availability and accessibility of your natural weapons.
Since the door has been opened ... Even though we have higher stances, as it were, we still depend on those stances to provide a base for balance, and delivery of power both in defense and offense. If you don't have a good solid base, and I've said this before, you aren't delivering your power. It then follows that you aren't in a position to defend as well. Granted, there are many other pieces that have to be fit in there, as well. But the base or stance, if you will, is the ... base ... Gotta have a good one.
And I won't go into kicking applications here, as I'm running out of room.... :lol:
But on a serious note ... You ought to really investigate the physiology of stances and balance, and the advanced concepts that are contained therein. Free up your head a little bit in how you move into and out of stances. For instance, just as a suggestion ... What happens in a cat stance (use Delayed Sword), if instead of pulling back to the cat stance, you move your left leg up the required space to come to the cat stance? Particularly in the area of balance, distancing, speed of power application and almost as importantly, your base and mobility?
This is, of course, assuming, that you move back to a neutral bow as you perform the initial block. If you don't, then this won't apply, and you are not using your distancing capabilities correctly.
Now, having said that, you don't have to use the stances. You don't have to flow through the stances, but you are missing a large part of your capability if you don't.
To the person who said he didn't think SGM Parker went through his stances, I would like to suggest that you watch the films with a little more of a weather eye. You will see, I think, that he flowed smoothly and quickly through his stances, and preserved his base. If the stances aren't important, why would the system have them in it?
Just some thoughts on stances.
Dan
*) that instructor's daren't let people spar anymore.
