Ilchi Lee Dahn Hak Yoga

You can ask Dr. Ilchi Lee questions on ilchi.com and he posts replies on the site. Here’s an example of a recent question…

Ideal Jangsaeng Walking

Q: Can you give me any pointers on how to improve my Jangsaeng walking technique? I have difficulty tucking in my tailbone, and I am not sure that I am leaning forward at a one degree angle.

A: Because you have a lifetime of habits built into your body, it can be difficult to keep the proper Jangsaeng posture at first. If you have trouble tucking in your tail bone, it is probably because you are holding a lot of tension in your lower back, hip joints, and intestines. You may want to practice some stretching exercises daily in order to gain more flexibility in your lower body. In the mean time, try focusing on pushing your pelvic bone out. In reality, you can not move your pelvic bone independently, so try to move your entire pelvic area, not just your tailbone. You will know you that you are in the right position when you feel a slight tension and heat in your lower abdomen.

As far as the one-degree tilt is concerned, you do not have to try too hard. When in the proper position, you should only have the slightest perception that you are tilting forward. Just focus on keeping your head slightly ahead of your toes, and try not to push your abdomen out. You can think of it as walking with a very proactive, deliberate attitude. Keep practicing and soon this will all seem very natural.