One Leg Or Two?

[Walk the Torque]

Just a quick Question.

Do you think more power can be gleaned from single or double legged stances?

I am having an odd period where my single legged stances seem stronger than the double. This wasn't the case before, and I'm wondering if this is inherent or the fact that ZI have been training more bagua than anything else for a while.

[chimerical tortoise]

Afaik, single leg is easier to find your balance on because you only have to worry about one foot.

[BonesCom]

I've noticed it is easier (for me) to get lower in the single leg posture (in dai style xinyi) that the two legged squatting monkey posture. I think it has to do with flexibility rather than strength. Meaning when I'm on one foot there is more weight on that leg and it's easier to sink lower, compared to the 2-legged where there is more resistance/ less weight per leg and I end up having to use muscles to pull me down. What I have noticed though is that the "stretch" I get from one-leg helps me get lower in the two-leg. Make sense? In terms of more power, don't know, I know my legs got much stronger when I started doing pistols and that has help both standing postures and stepping

[nianfong]

power for what?

[Walk the Torque]

power for what?

Striking with palms mostly.

[humbleboxer]

2 points of contact will provide more stability and power than 1 point of contact. try to swing a bat or a golf club on one leg. to create more force on one leg, upwards springing movements or forward lunging movements will add power. a one legged stance is often a "hidden" kick/knee. good examples of one legged hand strikes are in many Chang Chuan and Shaolin forms. other options are combined punching and kicking for high/low attacks.