When we take up a stance this is referred to as a kamae (構え) in Japanese. The kamae is the physical ready stance or posture that one takes when facing off with an opponent. The kokoro-gamae (心構え) is the posture one takes mentally and physically. In Aikido, one's kokoro-gamae should be that of harmony. Nothing should disturb this harmony. Not even the attack. The first stage in any altercation is to create harmony - harmony within ourselves and harmony with our opponent. Before the attack, we are in harmony with our selves and when we are confronted, that harmony still remains and we then harmonize with our opponent. This is mindful movement. Anything else is mindless.