Ok, time for my next question for the experts.
Recently we did a strange exercise in Xing-I to get our back straight. It was putting your back against a corner and rearranging it so there was no space between the spine and the wall corner, which let me know how out of straight my back really is when I thought it was.
Now the Tai Chi question: I believe this same thing can be applied to Tai Chi as it makes it nearly impossible for someone to pull you forward off balace while you are like this (simple physics here). However, when I move forward in a stance to put my weight over my front foot I have a choice. My back can remain straight and rear leg have a bit of a bend at the knee, or I can straighten out the rear leg more or just short of locking it and a bend forms in the lumbar area of the back.
I believe leaving the rear leg bent is the proper answer, but I am wondering if additional flexibility would allow both straight lower back and straight rear leg.
Recently we did a strange exercise in Xing-I to get our back straight. It was putting your back against a corner and rearranging it so there was no space between the spine and the wall corner, which let me know how out of straight my back really is when I thought it was.
Now the Tai Chi question: I believe this same thing can be applied to Tai Chi as it makes it nearly impossible for someone to pull you forward off balace while you are like this (simple physics here). However, when I move forward in a stance to put my weight over my front foot I have a choice. My back can remain straight and rear leg have a bit of a bend at the knee, or I can straighten out the rear leg more or just short of locking it and a bend forms in the lumbar area of the back.
I believe leaving the rear leg bent is the proper answer, but I am wondering if additional flexibility would allow both straight lower back and straight rear leg.