Let’s continue our exploration of body structure and technique by looking at the sacrum. Proper structure can allow the body to loosen and allow easy flow of movement and qi in both tai chi and qigong.
The word sacrum is connected to sacred. And the pelvis is where our tai chi comes to life. When stepping from wuji to Taiji, let the sacrum relax toward the earth.
Movement is generated from the lower part of the body. We connect to the ground with our feet, and propel power up through the legs into the pelvis. The pelvis includes the hip bowl encompassing the sacrum, the hips, the kua and the dan tian. It is the bridge connecting the upper and lower body.
Think of sinking, sitting, or folding at the hips to lower the tailbone. This invites the low back, and well as the front of the torso to open. It allows the kua to open and close, while directing movement with the dan tian. Sitting into the body helps to power from the legs and loosen the upper body. When relaxed, the shoulders will follow the hips, which will allow the flow of the hands to follow. It also aligns the dan tian and ming men.
The idea of sitting also aids in keeping the hips level. While they will rotate, they won’t move in a hula fashion, extending beyond the natural frame.
In walking patterns (such as Yang Brush Knee) visualizing moving the sacrum forward can provide structure and promote proper posture. The energy rises from the feet and is stabilized by pelvis, eliminating the urge to lean forward towards the pushing hand. Rising from bent postures in Qigong is also facilitated by the thought of pushing the sacrum forward, avoiding straining the low back.
The skeleton is our structure, our frame. Being mindful of joint alignment is a vital part of technique. Our intention generates movement without tension. Structure gives rise to Song.