Instructions for the Horse Rider Stance (Ma Bu) - Kung Fu & Wushu Stance

The Ma Bu stance can translate as the "horse rider stance" or the "horse stance". The chinese name is 马步 and the pinyin is mǎ bù.

This is one of the five main stances (or steps) found in most of the chinese kung fu styles. This stance is pretty simple to explain and is one of the most emblematic stances for traditional martial arts. Besides its use for combat and performance the Ma Bu stance is a very good exercise and most of the traditional schools use it for developing leg and knee strenght and for improving hip joints flexibility.

Illustration of the Wushu Horse Stance (Ma Bu)

The main aspects to take into consideration when practicing the Ma Bu stance are:

1. Pull the knees outward
2. Pull the toes inward to make the feet parallel to each other
3. Keep torso vertical. Do not lean forward
4. Rotate pelvis forward to straighten the spine
5. Keep a distance of approximately 2 shoulder widths between feet
6. Thigts should be parallel to the ground
7. Equal weight distribution on the legs

References

1. Wudang Kung Fu Bucuresti, http://www.wdkf.ro | https://www.facebook.com/wdkf.ro, Added - 29/04/15