Yiquan - ZZ Question

[Chowfarn]

I've been looking through a book on ZZ - (based on Yiquan).
http://www.wle.com/products/B1227.html

The ZZ talked about is on health not combat.

My question:
What is the biggest difference between health & combat stances.
Is it just the body posture ?
Is it body posture & also a change in intent &/or visualisation ?

[Josealb]

Well...one obvious difference is that, zz designed for combat has health as a byproduct...not so much the other way around. (not in a comparable degree, IMO, anyways).

Just to start the topic.

[qiphlow]

AFAIK:
the health stances tend to be higher, with weight even on both legs (i.e.-- the "hugging the ball" posture). also the focus tends to be more toward relaxation.

the combat postures tend to be more one leg weighted, with more of a focus on using the intent to evoke various feelings in the body.

[jjy5016]

I've been looking through a book on ZZ - (based on Yiquan).
http://www.wle.com/products/B1227.html

The ZZ talked about is on health not combat.

My question:
What is the biggest difference between health & combat stances.
Is it just the body posture ?
Is it body posture & also a change in intent &/or visualisation ?

First off there are a lot of different types and reasons for zhan zhuang practice. The biggest difference between what people call "health postures" and "Combat postures" is the posture itself. Both can be practiced in the same manner. High, low, with and without stretching, some intent as opposed to almost all intent. Depends on what one is seeking to develop.

In our line of yiquan the double weighted stances are practiced more in the beginning and practiced as low as possible to develop strength in the legs. There is some intention used for helping the body to develop zheng li, or opposite force and there is an emphasis on developing the tendons and connective tissues. Our combat standing can have the same qualities but generally they are more for developing yi, different skills and more esoteric things than the evenly weighted postures.

There are some postures that have very specific intents used with them like the taming the tiger posture. There are intents used for fighting, triggering certain things within the body and for strengthening the body in different ways. But I don't believe any of these are unique to yiquan.

[Sprint]

I've been looking through a book on ZZ - (based on Yiquan).
http://www.wle.com/products/B1227.html

The ZZ talked about is on health not combat.

My question:
What is the biggest difference between health & combat stances.
Is it just the body posture ?
Is it body posture & also a change in intent &/or visualisation ?

The stances do differ, but the biggest difference is in the intensity of the mental activity. There's a lot more to be aware of when doing combat postures. They are physically and mentally much more demanding.