Bob Hubbard
08-28-2006, 03:27 PM
THE NATURAL POSTURE
By Pete Starr
In almost all martial arts we frequently hear the term natural posture, or words to that effect. Usually, that phrase is mentioned in conjunction with the execution of a form or two-person fighting/self-defense drills. However, although it appears to be natural, the natural posture is anything but natural.
Different martial arts employ a variety of natural postures. You can stand with the feet together (in what we call attention), with the heels together and the toes turned out about 45 degrees, with the feet spread about a shoulder's width, or with one foot advanced a "natural" step. All of these ways of standing are actually classified as formal stances and given names. They must be memorized although they are intended to represent the various ways in which we stand normally. After all, it just wouldn't do to adopt a formal fighting stance every time you stand still!
And the founders of the various martial arts determined that if you were ever forced to use your martial skills in self-defense, it'd probably occur when you're standing normally. Most people don't walk around in a fighting stance...But how should you properly stand in a natural posture? The answer can be found in your forms. How do you stand at the very beginning of your form?
Externally, your knees are never, ever locked straight. They are ever so slightly flexed and the weight of your body is never equal on both feet. I'll bet that comes as a shock, huh? Well, it's true. Standing with your weight equal on both feet isn't natural. If you think it is, try doing it every time you stand still today; whenever you stand up and you're not moving, make sure your weight is equal on both feet. It won't take long before you realize that such a position is extremely unnatural. Although it may appear that the weight is equal on both feet, one foot bears just slightly more weight than the other.
This is especially true in martial arts practice. Your forms all begin from a natural stance and according to the instructions, the weight is equal on both feet. But if you really pay attention to yourself when you begin the form(s), you'll notice that one foot carries just a little more weight than the other. When you prepare to perform a basic one-step exercise or a self-defense technique, it's even more obvious.
Your cute little tush shouldn't be thrust out behind you. Don't try to imitate J Lo. Tuck the butt in and tuck the coccyx in and slightly upward. Slightly contract your anal sphincter. I guess you could say that we're all pretty anal retentive! But that's better than walking around with your spincter wide open all the time, isn't it?
Ideally, you should gently push the crown of your head upward as though trying to touch it to a low ceiling. This'll make you a good inch (or more) taller, too. Your shoulders should hang naturally and be relaxed. If you push your head upward a little, this will happen naturally.
In this "natural" position, your spine and body parts are comfortably aligned and you can move very quickly. Your level of awareness will be heightened and your reaction time shortened just by standing correctly!
Internally, you should breathe from the lower abdomen. Never allow your breath to rise up in your chest. When practicing or at any time you anticipate having to respond to danger, your eyes should be opened a little wider than usual and you should pay attention to your peripheral vision (it's a good idea to practice widening your peripheral vision as much as possible).
It actually takes some considerable practice before you learn to stand naturally! As martial arts practitioners, whether we practice forms of Kung-Fu, Taiji, Karate, Aikido, Iai-do, or anything else, we are not normal people! If you disagree, just ask your spouse or significant other. They'll quickly verify the truth of my assertation. Normal people stand sloppily and slumped. They are not sensitive to the approach of danger and when it appears, they cannot respond quickly or even appropriately to it. Such creatures are sometimes referred to as "sheep."
Danger need not necessarily come from other people, you know. A falling object, a bad driver, a rake on the ground with the tines turned upward...there are ten thousand possibilities. If you are not prepared to deal with it, you will be caught unaware and/or unprepared. Then you'll become a "statistic."
So next time you begin from a natural posture, take a good look at it. It won't feel natural for some time. When it does and you don't even notice it anymore, then you'll have it.
By Pete Starr
In almost all martial arts we frequently hear the term natural posture, or words to that effect. Usually, that phrase is mentioned in conjunction with the execution of a form or two-person fighting/self-defense drills. However, although it appears to be natural, the natural posture is anything but natural.
Different martial arts employ a variety of natural postures. You can stand with the feet together (in what we call attention), with the heels together and the toes turned out about 45 degrees, with the feet spread about a shoulder's width, or with one foot advanced a "natural" step. All of these ways of standing are actually classified as formal stances and given names. They must be memorized although they are intended to represent the various ways in which we stand normally. After all, it just wouldn't do to adopt a formal fighting stance every time you stand still!
And the founders of the various martial arts determined that if you were ever forced to use your martial skills in self-defense, it'd probably occur when you're standing normally. Most people don't walk around in a fighting stance...But how should you properly stand in a natural posture? The answer can be found in your forms. How do you stand at the very beginning of your form?
Externally, your knees are never, ever locked straight. They are ever so slightly flexed and the weight of your body is never equal on both feet. I'll bet that comes as a shock, huh? Well, it's true. Standing with your weight equal on both feet isn't natural. If you think it is, try doing it every time you stand still today; whenever you stand up and you're not moving, make sure your weight is equal on both feet. It won't take long before you realize that such a position is extremely unnatural. Although it may appear that the weight is equal on both feet, one foot bears just slightly more weight than the other.
This is especially true in martial arts practice. Your forms all begin from a natural stance and according to the instructions, the weight is equal on both feet. But if you really pay attention to yourself when you begin the form(s), you'll notice that one foot carries just a little more weight than the other. When you prepare to perform a basic one-step exercise or a self-defense technique, it's even more obvious.
Your cute little tush shouldn't be thrust out behind you. Don't try to imitate J Lo. Tuck the butt in and tuck the coccyx in and slightly upward. Slightly contract your anal sphincter. I guess you could say that we're all pretty anal retentive! But that's better than walking around with your spincter wide open all the time, isn't it?
Ideally, you should gently push the crown of your head upward as though trying to touch it to a low ceiling. This'll make you a good inch (or more) taller, too. Your shoulders should hang naturally and be relaxed. If you push your head upward a little, this will happen naturally.
In this "natural" position, your spine and body parts are comfortably aligned and you can move very quickly. Your level of awareness will be heightened and your reaction time shortened just by standing correctly!
Internally, you should breathe from the lower abdomen. Never allow your breath to rise up in your chest. When practicing or at any time you anticipate having to respond to danger, your eyes should be opened a little wider than usual and you should pay attention to your peripheral vision (it's a good idea to practice widening your peripheral vision as much as possible).
It actually takes some considerable practice before you learn to stand naturally! As martial arts practitioners, whether we practice forms of Kung-Fu, Taiji, Karate, Aikido, Iai-do, or anything else, we are not normal people! If you disagree, just ask your spouse or significant other. They'll quickly verify the truth of my assertation. Normal people stand sloppily and slumped. They are not sensitive to the approach of danger and when it appears, they cannot respond quickly or even appropriately to it. Such creatures are sometimes referred to as "sheep."
Danger need not necessarily come from other people, you know. A falling object, a bad driver, a rake on the ground with the tines turned upward...there are ten thousand possibilities. If you are not prepared to deal with it, you will be caught unaware and/or unprepared. Then you'll become a "statistic."
So next time you begin from a natural posture, take a good look at it. It won't feel natural for some time. When it does and you don't even notice it anymore, then you'll have it.