San Ti - How to Practice Xingyiquan's Most Important Stance - Download the Video
August 15, 2014
By Ken Gullette
The most important stance in Xingyiquan (Hsing-I Chuan) is called San Ti (pronounced "Sahn Tee"). It means "trinity" and focuses on three main points:
1. The hip is over the rear heel
2. The front knee is over the forward heel
3. The front fingers are over the forward toes.
Also, more of the weight is on the rear leg (about 70%). Relax your weight and sink. Relax the shoulders. The front hand has the palm forward, aimed at your opponent. Some schools have the palm actually facing forward and some slant it to varying degrees. The rear hand is palm down. The thumb on the lower hand is pointed at the Dan T'ien.
This is an excellent posture for building leg strength. You will find when you start practicing San Ti that your legs are burning after a short time, particularly the rear leg. Switch to the other side and hold it until the other leg burns.
In some traditional Chinese schools, beginning students were required to come to practice and hold this stance -- and learn nothing else -- for months, sometimes years. I'm sure they were SOLID in their San Ti after that.
If you practice this stance a little longer each time, your legs will grow stronger and will give you a good foundation for quality Hsing-I.
My DVD on the Five Fist Postures shows you how to do San Ti.
I also have a short video that teaches San Ti that you can download for only 90 cents. Click the button below to get video instruction of this important basic stance that forms the foundation of "Mind Shape Boxing."
Download and Own the San Ti Instructional Video - Running Time 3:45
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