Shorinji Kempo employs many different stances for various purposes ranging from the listening stance (Kesshu Gamai) to various defensive stances. A range of basic Shorinji Kempo stances are described below.
SHORINJI KEMPO BASIC STANCES
These are stances taken up by an individual. The following is a selection of the stances used in Shorinji Kempo.
Kesshu Gamae
This Shorinji stance is used when listening to instruction.
Heels are together with feet angled out. Hands are held with the left over the right, the left thumb is held in the right hand.
Hands should rest at belt level.
Heels are together with feet angled out. Hands are held with the left over the right, the left thumb is held in the right hand.
Hands should rest at belt level.
Kaisoku Chudan Gamae
This Shorinji stance is typically used when practicing basic moves.From Kesshu gamae the left leg steps to the side so that the feet are shoulder width apart. The feet are parallel to each other.
Both hands are held in fists just above waist height. Knees are slightly bent.
Chudan Gamae
This is an offensive Shorinji stance similar to a typical Boxers stance.Feet are set with either the right foot forward for Migi chudan gamae, or left for hidari chudan gamae.
The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
Both hands are held in fists. The rear hand is held at chest height pointing at the opponents head. The front hand/arm is held lower than the rear and is angled slightly above horizontal.
Ichiji Gamae
This is a defensive Shorinji stance.Either the right foot is forward for Migi Ichiji gamae, or the left foot is forward for hidari Ichiji gamae.
The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
The rear hand is in a fist and is held at chest height pointing at the opponents head.
The front hand is open with the palm facing down held in a horizontal position across the body in front of the belt knot.
Gassho rei position.
Stand with heels together as in Kesshu gamae. Hands are placed palms together and are held in front of face. the arms are held horizontal.
Stand with heels together as in Kesshu gamae. Hands are placed palms together and are held in front of face. the arms are held horizontal.
Hasso gamae
This is a defensive Shorinji stance that encourages the attacker to strike to the stomach area. Either the right foot is forward for Migi Hasso gamae, or the left foot is forward for hidari Hasso gamae.The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
From Chudan gamae, raise both hands to shoulder height and open both hands. Elbows should be held so as to protect the side of the ribs but leave the stomach area open.
This is a defensive Shorinji stance that leaves the face/head area open.
Either the right foot is forward for Migi Taiki gamae, or the left foot is forward for Hidari Taiki gamae.
The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
The rear hand is open in a horizontal position across the body with the palm facing down. The front hand is held open at shoulder height with the hand turned slightly in.
Either the right foot is forward for Migi Taiki gamae, or the left foot is forward for Hidari Taiki gamae.
The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
The rear hand is open in a horizontal position across the body with the palm facing down. The front hand is held open at shoulder height with the hand turned slightly in.
This Shorinji stance is the same as Taiki Gamae but with the hand positions reversed.The front hand is open in a horizontal position across the body with the palm facing down. The rear hand is held open at shoulder height with the hand turned slightly in.
This is a defensive Shorinji stance generally used to encourage the attacker to grab the arm or wrist.
Either the right foot is forward for Migi Taiki gamae, or the left foot is forward for Hidari Taiki gamae.
The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
The rear hand is held in a fist at chest height pointing at the opponents head. The front hand is held in a fist in a horizontal position across the body (palm down) in front of the belt knot.
Gyaku Gedan Gamae
This Shorinji stance is similar to Gedan Gamae but with the hand positions reversed.
The front hand is held in a fist at chest height pointing at the opponents head.
The shoulders are turned brining the rear shoulder forward, so as to present the rear hand to the attacker. The rear hand is held in a fist in a horizontal position across the body (palm down) in front of the belt knot.
Either the right foot is forward for Migi Taiki gamae, or the left foot is forward for Hidari Taiki gamae.
The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
The rear hand is held in a fist at chest height pointing at the opponents head. The front hand is held in a fist in a horizontal position across the body (palm down) in front of the belt knot.
Gyaku Gedan Gamae
This Shorinji stance is similar to Gedan Gamae but with the hand positions reversed.The front hand is held in a fist at chest height pointing at the opponents head.
The shoulders are turned brining the rear shoulder forward, so as to present the rear hand to the attacker. The rear hand is held in a fist in a horizontal position across the body (palm down) in front of the belt knot.
Fukko Gamae
This is a Shorinji kneeling defensive position.Kneeling on the rear knee, the front foot is positioned to draw the knee across the groin.
The rear hand is held in a fist at chest height. The front hand is open in a defensive position and is held away from the body to cover against attack.
Midare Gamae
This is a defensive Shorinji stance that leaves the face/head area open.
Either the right foot is forward for Migi Midare gamae, or the left foot is forward for Hidari Midare gamae.
The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
The front hand is open with the palm facing down held in a horizontal position across the body in front of the belt knot.
The rear hand is held open with the palm facing down across the body in front of the opposite shoulder.
This is a defensive Shorinji stance that leaves the face/head area open.Either the right foot is forward for Migi Midare gamae, or the left foot is forward for Hidari Midare gamae.
The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
The front hand is open with the palm facing down held in a horizontal position across the body in front of the belt knot.
The rear hand is held open with the palm facing down across the body in front of the opposite shoulder.
Manji Gamae
Feet are set with either the right foot forward for Migi chudan gamae, or left for hidari chudan gamae.The feet are set shoulder width apart with the front foot turned in about 10°, and the rear foot turned out about 45°. Knees are slightly bent.
The front hand/arm is held in a fist and is angled slightly above horizontal.
The rear hand is held open raised to head height leaving the body area open inviting the opponent to target this area.
