How to start training Pancake Flexibility

Are you a gymnastics skill seeker who wants to accomplish a chest-to-floor pancake?

When you sit on the floor to perform your pancake stretches, do you maintain a flat back, or do you round your back?

Do you need to maintain a flat back when training the pancake?

It's a fair assumption. We're often told to "maintain a flat back" in other hip-hinging movements such as deadlifts and good mornings.

"If you round you're back, you'll get injured".

Is that so?

I believe the fitness industry has taken the whole neutral spine idea too far.

Let's face it, real life and sport are not ridged and straight. We don't move through life with a neutral spine.

It's not very "functional" to only train with a neutral spine.