There have been a few times when the above-mentioned maneuver has saved my a$$... like when I was riding the creek trail with a bunch of friends and no one told me a steep (very short) climb to the dam was right around the corner! Whoa, stand up and tried to change gears whilst standing... my baby's drivetrain didn't like that too much, but my baby came through and we made it!!
I, too, like standing up to get up those short hills, but I have to be in good shape or else I'm killed for a while.
fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding) - St. Anselm of Canterbury