PUSH-HANDS
Push-hands is a two-person exercise in which partners sense each
others movements and intentions through a literal "hand-on" approach.
It is usual to begin by facing each other in a front-stance (one foot in
front toward the partner) and touching opposite arms. By circling the
arms parallel to the ground, in conjunction with the shifting of weight
and turning the waist, each learn to feel the subtilties of internal and
external pressures, tensions, balance, energy flow, etc. The feet are
stationary, which makes it difficult to remain balanced while the
other partner may be trying to push or pull you off-balance.
The simple single-hand encounter is followed by using two hands
in the circular pattern, and then in more complex patterns involving
strikes, pushes and pulls. There are also movements based on taking
one or more steps off the main front-stance.
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Practice should be done slowly
for many months before adjusting
to faster speeds. This is for safety,
but more importantly, to develope
proper sensing skills. At more
advanced levels, Push-hands can
be totally free-form with varied
speeds and totally improvised
foot and body movement. Such
spontanity and sense of awareness
of Push-hands "dance" is thoroughly
delightful. Movements in Pushhands
can also be found in the
Taiji Long Routine.
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