Standing meditation

Does anyone practice standing meditation before starting in on your tai chi set? I have several friends who practice with Fong Ha of Berkeley, who has everyone stand for about an hour (either doing the Horse Stance or the Universal Post), and then doing some chi gong, then doing the tai chi form practice. Any thoughts on the benefits?

Amazing benefits!
I love standing meditation and all of my forms are preceeded by it. It is a fantastic and amazing way to truly strengthen your mind, body and Qi. It is also a truly amazing way to find true relaxation, look at it this way...How often do we all stand?
Now take a conscious look at how you stand, Where do you hold your tension? Does your neck hurt? Your back? Your Feet?
Standing Meditation can teach you to take all this and make it so you are relaxed and even almost in a constant state of meditation. Relaxed awareness, this helps one of the fundamental concepts of Tai Chi, Stillness in Motion and Motion in Stillness.

Btw I have heard of Fong Ha a truly great teacher by all accounts. Lucky to have him at Berkeley.

One advice given was not to stand for too long. It lets you get used to "dead weight".