Originally Posted by
RenDaHai
Hey there,
All of the stances are not just stances but 'steps' that is to say methods of taking a step. As such they are dynamic and rarely held for any length of time past the momentary technique. Note that moving into a stance gives you momentum, but when you are already in a stance you have none. So the technique should be executed while moving into the step and not statically from it.
When in non contact, that is to say you and your opponent are not in physical contact and are awaiting each other you adopt a comfortable natural posture like everyday walking, not any of the stances. The hands are held close to the solar plexus.
When momentarily withdrawing from the opponent it is common to use the stance 'Xu Bu'. This is where the rear leg takes the weight and the front leg is empty (hence the name, 'empty stance'). The hands most typically are held in 'XiaoQiXing'. That is 'small seven stars' where the front hand is around chin level and the rear hand is held at the elbow of the front hand.
If there was a 'fighting ready stance' I suppose that would be it, but it is not to be held against a mobile opponent, only against one who is also in stance.