Bow Stance

The bow stance is also known as the forward stance, 60-40 or bow &arrow stance.  The reason behind the name is that the majority of the body’s weight is in the front foot.  This stance is an attack/forward action.  It is commonly used for Chong Quan 冲拳Straight Punch in Kung Fu and or Lou Xi Ao Bu搂膝拗步 Brush Knee and Twist Step in Tai Ji Quan.

As the previous paragraph said, the weight distribution is about 60-40.  Again one does not need to sit low, even bending the knees some will work.  The front knee needs to be above the front foot with proper alignment.  The back leg should be straight by extending it into the ground. It should not locked or hyperextended.  The side of the back foot, pinky toe side, needs to be at a 45° angle to the front foot.  This gives the body natural strength to relax and still have a powerful forward momentum.

As the knees should be above the feet to keep proper alignment,  it helps prevent putting weight into the arch of the foot. Practice gripping the ground by lifting the arch of the foot.  Very importantly, the weight should not be felt in the knees, the weight of the body goes into the ground with Qi Rooting practice.