I love watching the flashy forms these athletes display. And while I will never develop flashy forms, zhan zhuang does require a degree of athleticism. How so?
The burning in your legs tests your resolve to remain standing. Do you eat bitter and push on or quit? You learn how to relax certain muscles and engage and strengthen other muscles. Can you remain fully present and in-the-moment when the stillness lulls you to trance-out? Are you committed to practicing, to always seeking your personal best?
Make no mistake. There is more to standing that "just" standing.
