HORSE STANCE – SEI PING MA
THE KEY CONCEPTS, TECHNIQUES, AND METHODS OF WING CHUN — MADE CLEAR
Short Definition
Sei Ping Ma is the Wing Chun horse stance that trains stability, balance, and structural grounding through an even, side-on posture.
ABOUT SEI PING MA
Overview
Sei Ping Ma is a traditional horse stance used in Wing Chun to develop balance, rooting, and strength through a wider, stable base. Unlike Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma, which focuses on centreline clamping, Sei Ping Ma spreads the weight more evenly across both legs, creating a solid platform for practising footwork transitions, defensive movements, and structural alignment.
Purpose of the Stance
The aim of Sei Ping Ma is to train the lower body to stay strong and connected while the upper body moves freely. It develops leg endurance, posture, and the ability to maintain stability during pressure. The stance is also used as a transitional base when shifting into other footwork patterns.
Structure & Positioning
A correct Sei Ping Ma places the feet wider than shoulder-width apart with the toes facing forward or slightly inward. The knees bend naturally, the hips stay relaxed, and the spine remains upright. The weight distribution stays central, and the stance maintains a grounded, stable feel without locking the joints.
Using Sei Ping Ma Under Pressure
When force pushes from the side, Sei Ping Ma helps prevent collapse by spreading the weight across both legs. Its wide base allows the practitioner to remain stable while transitioning into techniques, pivots, or forward steps. It is a stance that teaches endurance, calmness, and structural integrity.
How It Connects to the System
While not the primary stance of Wing Chun, Sei Ping Ma appears in training drills, conditioning, and some weapon principles. It supports the development of rooting and transitions into Juen Ma, Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma, Jin Bo, and Jui Ma. The principles of balance and structure learned in Sei Ping Ma carry into all movement.
Common Lessons in Sei Ping Ma
Keep the stance wide but relaxed
Maintain an upright spine
Distribute weight evenly
Relax the hips for better grounding
Build leg endurance without tension
Use the stance as a transitional base
RELATED TERMS
Jin Bo – Arrow Step
Jui Ma – Pursuit Step
Mui Fa Bo – Plum Blossom Step
SEI PING MA Q&A
Not as a fighting stance, but the stability and leg strength trained in Sei Ping Ma support better balance and structural power in real movement and the Long Pole Form.
Low enough to engage the legs but not so low that the stance becomes stiff or restricts movement. Relaxation is more important than depth.
It builds foundational leg strength, balance, and stability, qualities that improve every stance and footwork pattern in the system.