Horseriding stance

[o]

I have seen a few different variations of the horseriding stance with different styles. In most places I looked it recommends a wide stance (2 shoulder width). However, a neigong source recommended a stance of about shoulder width apart. Are these differences important or does any version work well? Maybe some variations are designed for different purposes as well (i.e. qi gathering vs. strength building). Can anyone tell me about the different variations and their purposes, advantages, and disadvantages.

Thank

[GreyMystik]

speaking from a purely body-mechanics oriented viewpoint here, the lower your stance, the wider it should be in order to allow you to lower your center of gravity (at least this is what logic would dictate) as well as lessen the stress on the knees. many styles advocate a horse stance where the femur (thigh bone) is virtually parallel with the ground; this would be exceedingly difficult(and i would think overly stressful) if the feet were only one shoulder width apart or less... also, alot has been said about not letting the knee past the toe etc...keep in mind. just a few ideas.

[iamaloser]

Horse stance training is discussed in Southern Chinese Kung Fu, Does Your Horse Stance Grip

[Braden]

The requirements for qigong/internal training are much different than the way many external stylists use the horse stance for strength training.

There is no cut and dry rule, and the focus will change depending on the style. In the bagua I am learning, we say that if you are comfortable, then the stance isn't deep enough; but if you are straining, then the stance is too deep.

The key thing is that you don't want the purely physical strain invoked by a low stance to interfere with more important things like your breathing and "unconcentrated concentration"/"inattentive attentiveness" ( ;) ) and other points of proper posture.

[o]

The purpose of a horseriding stance for me would just be to gather qi at the dantian. If a specific horse stance offered this, I'd be satisfied. However, a stance which allowed me to both gather qi and strengthen my body would be better.

[Braden]

There's no magic formula.

Your stance should be deep enough that it is work. There is the idea of your legs generating a fire under the cauldron of your dantien, which fuels the refining process of the qi contained there. If you are too comfortable, you aren't generating that fire. If you're not comfortable enough, then you cannot maintain the truly important points: breathing and relaxation, and perhaps some minor visualization.

I know that's not an easy answer, but that's the way things are. You have to learn to listen to your body in order to walk the proper line between the extremes. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it is more difficult than it appears.

There is alot to qigong though. For cultivation alone, perhaps the ideal posture is wuji (looks almost like normal standing).