(Tutorial video)

Open Leg Stance Tutorial

Japanese Term:

Hachijidachi (HAH-CHEE-JEE-DAH-CHEE)

Instructions:

Move your left foot out one shoulder width then close both hands, forming fists. Draw your arms back along the side of your body and inhale through your nose within a quarter of a second. Your fists should stop by your sides with the palms facing up. Then, exhale slowly through your mouth while extending your arms forward; they should stop when your elbows reach your sides. The hands rotate inward so the palms face toward each other. The exhale should take two seconds. Make sure that while you exhale you tense your entire body. This is an isometric-breathing exercise.