List of Goju Ryu Stances

This page provides details about the different stances used in Goju-Ryu Karate. These stances are used in kata, sparring, training, etc. One of the key stances associated with Goju-Ryu is Sanchin Dachi (Hour Glass Stance).

If you are looking for other stances (i.e. Shotokan), please visit the main Martial Arts Stances section.

Goju-Ryu Stances

• Fudo dachi - Free stance or sumo stance (Americanized description)
• Hachiji dachi - Natural or open leg stance
• Han zenkutsu dachi - Half front stance
• Heiko dachi - Parallel stance
• Heisoku dachi - Closed foot or blocked foot stance
• Kiba dachi - Horse riding stance
• Kosa dachi - Crossed leg or scissor stance (Americanized description)
• Kokutsu dachi - Back stance
• Musubi dachi - Formal attention stance
• Neko ashi dachi - Cat foot stance
• Renoji dachi - Letter “Re” stance
• Saga ashi dachi - Heron stance
• Sanchin dachi - Hourglass stance
• Sesan dachi - Side facing straddle stance
• Shiko dachi - Square stance
• Teiji stance - T-shaped stance
• Zenkutsu dachi - Front stance

Goju-Ryu Stances (Foot Positions) - Courtesy of New Forest Martial Arts
Click on the picture for a larger image of the stances

Reference Sources

1. I.O.G.K.F. Spain, Standing, http://www.iogkfspain.com/, Added - 02/02/15
2. Goju-Ryu Stances (Foot Positions) image kindly provided by New Forest Martial Arts, http://newforestmartialarts.co.uk/, Added - 02/03/15