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Gankaku Dachi

Gankaku dachi is a karate stance. Pronounced 'gan-kack-who-datch'. Gankaku Dachi is the stance known as the crane stance.

The crane stance is achieved by standing on one leg. The lifted leg is placed behind the standing leg with the foot tucked into the back of the standing knee. The standing leg should not be entirely straight, it should have a slight bend at the knee. This is an excellent stance for learning balance, improving posture and strengthening both legs.

Gankaku Dachi Crane stance is found in some kata, most noticable the kata of Empi, where the technique is found at the first kiai point.

The crane stance is generally considered an avoidance or defensive stance, however in the kata of empi the crane stance technique is used as part of an attacking sequence. In chinese five element theory, the crane stance is regarded as a water stance and is therefor transitional and flowing in nature.