One big problem I see in CLF forms (not fighting) is a misalignment in the legs. In Northern style stances, including Taiji, the femur and foot always point in the same direction.
In CLF, in particular the knee and toe become misaligned. I think this puts unnecessary pressure on the knee joint.
See video below for what I'm talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AustinKu...13/t04oAniAafc
When the student holds a low stance, he turns his waist so his left shoulder is forward, this creates alignment of the leg and foot (0:07). When he turns so both shoulders face forward the knee and foot are not longer aligned (0:21).
You see the same thing with Kau Mah (cross-stance). This is one of my big gripes with CLF. I really like the hands but the stances (at least in the forms) seem to go against natural movement at times. The videos are from my same lineage of CLF so perhaps other branches don't have the exact same issue.
Thoughts?