Research Question-Cat Stance???

[Hardball]

Hey does anybody know the history of the Kung Fu Cat Stance? Is it taken from the big cats of the jungle or the domesticated cat? Which styles of martial arts/kung fu employ the cat stance? In the animal forms--are their any forms dedicated to the cat?

Thanks

[Sagacious Lu]

Hey does anybody know the history of the Kung Fu Cat Stance? Is it taken from the big cats of the jungle or the domesticated cat? Which styles of martial arts/kung fu employ the cat stance? In the animal forms--are their any forms dedicated to the cat?

Thanks

In Shaolin Hung Chuan we use cat stance aka empty stance (as well as the other 5 basic stances) extensively. I know that the six stances are common to many kung fu styles, although I couldn't begin to tell you which ones do or do not use them. We have a Tiger form that we know was taught at the Shaolin Temple at Fukien before it was burned around 1800 or so that uses the six stances, so I know that it goes back further than that. When the monks fled the temple they took refuge on opera boats, where they were forced to practice in the boats' hold with very low ceilings. As a result they were forced to train in extremely low stances which they found to be powerful. That's why we emphasize low stances, but I don't know their origin. I would guess that Da Mo taught them to the Taoist monks (who were to become the Shoalin order) when he first came to
China and that they've just been practiced longer than anyone can remember but that's just my guess.

[fanman.]

In case you didn't know, the cat stance is also used a lot in Go Ju Ryu Karate, especially gojukai.

[Hardball]

In case you didn't know, the cat stance is also used a lot in Go Ju Ryu Karate, especially gojukai.

In what way?

[fanman.]

It was traditionally used as the basic fighting stance in sparring and free sparring (that is, before the large involvement in sport karate). It is still used as the basic fighting stance in a lot of kumite stuff like bunkai in some cases, and in individual practice of fighting combinations.
The Rationale for using this stance is that it is easy to launch a quick kick (especially front kick) from the front leg, and you will not lose your balance if your opponent sweeps your front leg.

[shaolin-warrior]

.
The Rationale for using this stance is that it is easy to launch a quick kick (especially front kick) from the front leg, and you will not lose your balance if your opponent sweeps your front leg.

We use the cat in Shaolin kempo for the same reasons fanman. The cat stance with a block, then lunge to strike.

[Tom Yum]

It was traditionally used as the basic fighting stance in sparring and free sparring (that is, before the large involvement in sport karate). It is still used as the basic fighting stance in a lot of kumite stuff like bunkai in some cases, and in individual practice of fighting combinations.
The Rationale for using this stance is that it is easy to launch a quick kick (especially front kick) from the front leg, and you will not lose your balance if your opponent sweeps your front leg.

Your body is more square and your weight is on the back leg which is good like you said for the easy lead leg snap kick and to avoid sweeps, but if you want to punch with power you have to shift weight to that front leg.

I take it the Cat Stance is used when you are tired, would like to keep your defense and want to rest up before you re-attack?

[Tant01]

Many

... Which styles of martial arts/kung fu employ the cat stance? In the animal forms--are their any forms dedicated to the cat?

Thanks

Harimau silat (Tiger) aka Silat kuching (cat)

[Tant01]

See also; ...neko ashi dachi

[Kenpodog]

The Cat Stance (45 deg., 90 deg., rev.) in American Kenpo, is a transitional stance which we move through quite often. There are many reasons to use the Cat Stance, but I challenge you to find a better stance when fighting up against a wall.

[Sagacious Lu]

I take it the Cat Stance is used when you are tired, would like to keep your defense and want to rest up before you re-attack?

Not at all, I'd only use it while training or in a demonstration. I have a hard time imagining a situation in a fight where I would put all my weight on one leg and then bend my knee to go as low as I can.

[Kenpodog]

Based on Sagacious Lu's last post, I think the cat stance may differ between styles/systems.
This link shows a 45 deg. cat stance used in American Kenpo (I usually have my back leg a little straighter then shown in the picture)
45 degree Cat Stance

Question to everyone:
Does your cat stance look like this??

[Sagacious Lu]

Based on Sagacious Lu's last post, I think the cat stance may differ between styles/systems.
This link shows a 45 deg. cat stance used in American Kenpo (I usually have my back leg a little straighter then shown in the picture)
45 degree Cat Stance

Question to everyone:
Does your cat stance look like this??

By our school's standards there's nothing wrong with that cat stance, it's just very high and comfortable. That person needs to bend his knee further and sink lower so that he can benefit from the stance by mastering his body weight. The guy in the pic. I'm attaching is pretty impressive- I have a ways to go before I'll be able to get that low, but that's what I'm shooting for. I have seen people that can go even lower than that though.

[Tom Yum]

By our school's standards there's nothing wrong with that cat stance, it's just very high and comfortable. That person needs to bend his knee further and sink lower so that he can benefit from the stance by mastering his body weight. The guy in the pic. I'm attaching is pretty impressive- I have a ways to go before I'll be able to get that low, but that's what I'm shooting for. I have seen people that can go even lower than that though.

If you through a thai kick at someone's leg in the low cat stance (like your pic) it would trip them up pretty bad and then you could pick off head shots as they fumble to catch their balance.

Should a cat stance be that low?

[Hardball]

Doesn't kung fu have a back drop kick that they do from that position?