Why the low stances in Shotokan Karate?

It's an exercise to build up your muscles.

I remember when I first started training ... teaching methods were more basic but they achieved results in terms of performance and discipline.

If you can manage to train successfully in a low stance, you'll find that your kicking techniques will have more speed and power in a self defence situation where it's likely that you'll be in a slightly higher stance.

It usually takes about three months to get into the habit of getting into that long, deep stance ... then you'll find that your legs will stop shaking and the stresses and strains of holding that stance will become less and less as you progress in your learning.

Remember that the work that you do in the dojo is only a part of the effort needed to progress up the grades towards a Black Belt.  You will need to practise these stances and techniques at home too in order to build up the necessary strength in your legs.

The next time you're watching your favourite TV programme, try viewing whilst standing in different stances and hold them for five minutes at a time?  I guarantee that you'll feel the benefits when you train at the dojo.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu