Pelvic Tilt in Tai Chi: The Myth of Tucking the Tailbone in Tai Chi Stance

Tucking the tailbone is one of the most common misconceptions in the Tai Chi stance. In this lesson, Susan Thompson—Shifu Susan—teaches the Kung Fu of the Tai Chi stance: how to release the sacrum, balance the pelvis, and create the Tai Chi posture that supports effortless Internal Tai Chi. Rather than actively “tucking” the pelvis as so many Tai Chi practitioners try to do, Susan teaches to release the sacrum area, allowing gravity to open the Ming Men (low back) and soften the often strained low back muscles. Susan uses an analogy of imagining the pelvis area as a bowl of water, and finding that perfect balance where the water does not spill out. This releasing of the sacrum and balancing of the pelvis creates a softening of the lower back while lengthening the front; a yin/yang relationship in one’s posture. This balance refines Song, builds stability, and opens the pathway for effortless internal strength and Qi flow. Internal Tai Chi is not about muscular action but about RELEASE. This is developed through refined awareness, posture, and alignment. Practicing this pelvic release transforms both standing meditation and movement, creating the foundation for Tai Chi forms, martial application, and whole-body integration. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction — common stance misconceptions 00:24 How tucking the tailbone creates collapse 01:30 Sacrum release and the pelvic bowl image 02:30 The exercise: Pelvic tilt and balance: pouring water front, back, and side 04:30 Isolating pelvic tilt without knees or trunk movement 05:40 Applying pelvic release in Tai Chi stance 06:45 Pelvis as the control center of posture and Song and Tai Chi power 📚 Want to go deeper? Susan is the author of Beyond Form: Learning Tai Chi from the Inside Out, and teaches livestream courses on structure, fascia connection, and internal movement mechanics. 🖥️ Courses and Classes: https://www.taichisusan.com/online-co... 📜 Structure and Song: https://taichisusan.thinkific.com/pro... 📜 Fascia Connection: https://taichisusan.thinkific.com/pro... 📜 Joining with the Force and Qi Cultivation: https://taichisusan.thinkific.com/pro... 📚 Book: Beyond Form: Learning Tai Chi from the Inside Out – Available on Amazon in Paperback, Kindle, and Audible https://a.co/d/axdukhQ 🔔 Subscribe: @internaltaichi 🌐 Website: https://www.taichisusan.com 💙 Your support is greatly appreciated! --My free video content takes time and effort. If you like my content, please consider supporting me at: www.buymeacoffee.com/taichisusan To be notified of workshops and courses by Susan: ➡️ EMAIL SIGN UP: https://taichisusan.com/#email-sign-up 🎓 For Private Lessons, Retreats, Workshops, and Live Streaming Lessons & Classes: 🌐 Visit my website: https://www.taichisusan.com 📱 Connect on Social Media: • Facebook: Flowing Mobility Tai Chi (  / flowingmobilitytaich  ) • Instagram: Flowing Mobility (  / flowingmobility  ) • YouTube: Flowing Mobility (   / @flowingmobility  ) Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your Tai Chi journey! --- 🛍️ AFFILIATE LINKS: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking these links supports my efforts without any additional cost to you. I only recommend items I've personally used and enjoyed! Visit my Affiliate Links Store where you can find Tai Chi books, and other fun stuff: https://www.taichisusan.com/affiliate...