horsestance, how many times

[mat]

The way you perform your stance is decided by the system you practice.
Generally(meaning non-specific to any particular style),i'd say the pic you posted is the correct way of performing the stance.

Like i said in one of my other posts,the knees should track the feet like in that photo.

I'd very much like to be able to perform the stance with my feet parallel though.

Mat

[CrazyBoy]

Hey Mat, why so much struggle? If you can do a 99% correct horse stance, then why? I don't want to upset you in any way.

[mat]

Hey Mat, why so much struggle? If you can do a 99% correct horse stance, then why? I don't want to upset you in any way.

Ok, maybe I'm a bit of a perfectionist It's no big deal, I'm just curious. I'd like to be able to hold my feet parallel in a low horse stance, and I'm wondering why I can't.

I've observed that some people are able to do a very low horse stance with feet parallel, like Mr. Kurz in http://www.stadion.com/column_stretch2.html whereas other people are able to do an equally low horse stance yet unable to keep their feet parallel (like myself).

I'm just wondering if this is a result of people having different physiology or if it is down to aligning the hips differently or something?

[Moe]

I can have my feet parallel when doing a low horse stance, but not my thighs. Mr Kurz mention that trying to have parallel thighs is favorable.

But i too cannot position my feet to be completely parallel.

[tomwes]

hmmm now i'm confused, so what routine do you people do for side splits?

[dragon]

I do Isometrics 3 days per week,3sets each stretch.This is then followed by relaxed stretches.

Dragon.

[mat]

hmmm now i'm confused, so what routine do you people do for side splits?

I practise isometrics, similar frequency to dragon's routine. I prefer using the low horse stance method (as recommended by Mr. Kurz) rather than the straight-legged side split. I find it more comfortable and it seems to work - This is just personal preference though.

[CrazyBoy]

Havind said all this about the horse stance, I have a question: is it wrong to do the low horse stance before doing the side split as preparation?

[dragon]

In what way do you mean as preparation?
I assume most people do the horse stance for isometric training and the side split for relaxed stretching.

Dragon.

[CrazyBoy]

For example, Dragon: I've followed your advice and started doing the isometric stretching after my weight training on Mo, Wed and Saturday. I start by doing front splits on both sides and before doing the side split, I do 3 sets of low horse stance.

[dragon]

If you're doing 3 sets of the horse riding stance isometric i wouldn't do a conventional side split for isometrics as well.
Perform the horse stance for isometrics and side split for relaxed stretches.

Dragon.

[tomwes]

these have been very difficult, how long should you hold them for? how many would consist in a set? i'm starting pretty high.

[Pu-key]

The way you perform your stance is decided by the system you practice.
Generally(meaning non-specific to any particular style),i'd say the pic you posted is the correct way of performing the stance.

Like i said in one of my other posts,the knees should track the feet like in that photo.

Dragon.

What do you mean by our knees tracking your feet?

[dragon]

tomwes-A set is the complete duration from adopting the stance to when you come out of it.For example,adopt a side split,tense,relax and slide out a bit further,contract,relax,etc.When you can't go any wider hold this last contraction for about 30 secs.

This is one set.

Pu-key-To have your knees tracking your feet means the knee is above the foot(not buckling in or bowing out) and both are pointing in the same direction.

Dragon.