The Cat Stance in Chinese Martial arts of Kung Fu gives important tips below. It is a flexible stance that is mainly used in defensive movements.
The Cat has always had a place in Chinese culture. In Chinese astrology the Cat is said to have missed out on a place as a zodiac animal symbol due to the rat’s deception. One version of the story claims that the Jade Emperor invited all the animals to a banquet to be selected as zodiac signs, and the Rat was given the task of inviting the animals. The Rat told the Cat the banquet was a day later than it actually was, causing the Cat to sleep through the banquet and miss its spot.
Another version of the story is that a race was used to select the animals that would be used for the zodiac symbols. There was a river that had to be crossed in this race and as the Cat and Rat were the worst swimmers of the animals, they convinced the Ox to let them ride across the river on his back. The Rat and the Cat were good friends at this point, until the Rat pushed the Cat off the Ox’s back. Once the Ox was nearly at the finish line the rat ran off the Ox’s head and across the finish line to get in first and be the first animal in the Chinese Zodiac. Due to the Rat’s actions to gain its place in the Chinese zodiac, the Cat is said to be a bitter enemy of the Rat.
The Cat stance is named because it resembles the posture of a cautious Cat. The back leg is bent ready to spring the body forward in a Cat-like attack. The front leg is soft and light, ready to deliver a quick kick.
Important points to consider when training in the Cat stance:
- 90% of weight on the back leg, bending that leg at the knee
- ensure the foot of the back leg is turned out at an angle of about 30 to 45 degree
- keep the knee of the back leg aligned with its foot
- keep the toes of the front foot lightly resting on the ground
- keep both heels aligned on a straight line ensure the knee of the front leg is bent slightly, with the front of the shin and the top of the foot forming a straight line (the lower half of the leg should be vertical
- ensure the chest faces squarely forward
- relax the hips and do not raise buttocks
- maintain an upright body.
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