In Shaolin training, every movement begins with a stance, and these two are the most fundamental: 马步 (Mǎ Bù) - Horse Stance, for grounding, endurance, and lower-body strength. 弓步 (Gōng Bù) - Bow Stance, for forward power, alignment, and explosiveness. This drill - 马步冲拳 & 弓步冲拳 (Horse Stance and Bow Stance Punch) trains the student to root power in the legs and drive it through the waist into the fist. Before learning forms or weapons, monks repeat these basics thousands of times to build stabilit