Instructor Jimmy Antoine demonstrates (the dangerous practice of) “tucking the tailbone”

The single most destructive posture practice I've witnessed in my forty years of traditional healing and martial art experience is “tucking of the tailbone.” Demonstrated in this photo, it involves purposeful flattening of the lumbar curve of the lower back. As will be described below, this destructive practice denatures the body's design for power and flex. The following represents a typical report from a student who, as a Tai Chi student in another program, was instructed by to tuck in the tailbone during chi kung (qigong) and Tai Chi practice: When I first began my Tai Chi and chi kung training with my first teacher, I was taught to flatten by lumbar spine and round (hunch) my shoulders forward. I found that although I was getting a peaceful feeling from the slow repetitive movements of these exercises, after a few weeks of classes, the problems I had with my body were accentuated. My shoulders, hips and neck began giving me more problems. I felt something was wrong. Later I learned how to practice “suspension” while maintaining the curve of the lower back. This took the pressure off my former “resting points” and helped a lot. I felt my body get more connection and power. Instead of flattening the lumbar curve, the system of suspension built upon and sustained the natural lumbar spine. I now carry this way of training my body into all my present practices including meditation, kung fu, chi kung and simply walking. I feel like I am making progress.

--- Ryan

This is a typical report of student and is also unfortunately typical of reported problems with the practice. For years I wondered why students would persist in the study of something that was so damaging to their health. The answer is that there are many who will go to extraordinary lengths—even destroying their body—if they believe the practice will gain them POWER.   Ironically, although over the last forty years of mostly friendly sparring matches with martial artists from almost every style, I have never been impressed with the power of someone who tucks in the tailbone. That doesn't mean they don't exist, only that I haven't seen them. In my experience, those who do practice “tucking the tailbone” move clumsily, carry tense posture and facial expression and have always complained of neck problems. Unfortunately, many teachers promote this unhealthy practice. So what can the serious student do? First, understand and deeply appreciate the ingenious design of the body and lean toward training that promotes natural design. Second, think outside of the “box” of what you are told to think and believe by others and consider what other therapists say about the issue. Here are two great examples to start with:

1. Pete Egoscue's “Condition III” Pete is famous for his therapy system and center he directs in San Diego , California and has written several books on the effects of posture on health. According to Pete, natural flattening of the lumbar curve leads to anxiety, lack of confidence, and as the eyes seek to perceive a level horizon, a hunching of the upper shoulders. In The Egoscue Method: Healing through Motion The Egoscue Method: Healing through Motion by Pete Egoscue. [LINK TO AMAZON BOOK HERE] he emphasizes three habitual posture conditions that are detrimental to health. “Condition III” introduces the problem with flattening of the lumbar curve of the lower back. in the following way: until recent years, this pattern the action (of pointing the hips upwards instead of level) was mostly seen in women, but in recent years, increasing numbers of men have been diagnosed with this condition  and goes on describe the condition in the following way: “. . . In Condition III, the hips are tilted under, which tips the top of the pelvis to the rear as though a pair of hands had gripped the hips from behind, pulling back and down and with tremendous force.

Imagine the pelvis as a satellite dish with the concave portion pointing straight ahead to a point on the far horizon. The dysfunction is pulling to the sky at an angel. A principle effect of the hip displacement is to flatten out the S-curve of the spine . (emphasis added)…. …the other characteristics of Condition III are rounded, slumping shoulders and a head that juts forward until it seems like a miracle that the whole body doesn't topple over. You probably recognize what I am describing. It's the posture of despair and dejection, depression and defeat. We see it in photographs of prisoners of war, the homeless, drug addicts, and inmates on death row.”

 
From: The Egoscue Method: Healing through Motion by Pete Egoscue

2. Ken Dychtwald Here's how Dychtwald therapist and author of Bodymind describes the same phenomenon [Link to Dychtwald book here] When the pelvis is tipped upward (so the liquid would flow from the back of the bowl), causing a flattening of the lower back, there tends to be a lessening of sexual energy and focus. This pelvis position is usually associated with a holding in of sexual feelings. It is not uncommon to find that when the pelvis is situated in this position it tends to be rather trim and undeveloped. People with flat rear end also frequently have legs that are either rigid or undeveloped, displaying a corresponding inability to stay focused or grounded in any emotional activity. Structurally, I have noticed that when people have their pelvises excessively tipped in this fashion, there tends to be a decrease in the amount of energy that goes into the legs, which have to do with grounding and focus, and the belly, and a corresponding overdevelopment of the chest, which has to do with expressing and controlling, and the head, which is concerned with thinking and rationalizing. As a result, many of these people are prone to suffer from a variety of corresponding physical problems, including frequent leg injuries, sexual dysfunction, bladder irritability, abdominal tension, hemorrhoids, lower back pain, and tension headaches . Correct standing posture  

Student demonstrating correct standing posture Correct and safe “standing practice” involves naturally holding the body so the that natural curve of the lumbar spine is maintained. This allows the head and upper back to rest over the pelvis in a straight “plumb line” that allows the muscles of intercostals (rib cage) to become involved in the training.   Conclusion One should be extremely wary of fantasy stories that suggest practice of unnatural exercise that could harm the body. Be cautious to avoid any training method that breaks the body's natural connective-ness and integration, especially flattening of the lower curve of the spine and tucking in the tailbone. In my experience, such ill advised training can cause years of damage and weakness to the body. The general rule: one cannot violate the laws of the body's design without paying a price. I am available to consult with any senior student or instructor who has questions about this matter without charge. Send any questions via e-mail to seafu@earthlink.net