Tai Chi Push Hands

The Martial Foundation of Tai Chi Chuan

Jwing-Ming Yang, David W. Grantham

• Publisher: YMAA Publication Center
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781594396458
• eBook ISBN: 9781594396465
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Sport & Exercise Science
• Index: Biological Sciences

Push Hands is the “other” part of tai chi that makes your practice a true living art

Tai chi push hands practice is a necessary next step for tai chi practitioners who wish to make their art come alive. Push hands practice requires two people to engage in a variety of “light touch” moving and walking routines. By practicing these movements, practitioners begin to develop tai chi’s sensing, listening, and yielding skills. Combined, these skills are the first step for developing your tai chi as a martial art.

The Dao De Jing classic reminds us that knowing others (an opponent) is important for knowing ourselves. By develop tai chi push hand skills, one begins to obtain a profound sense of feeling of your own body and mind. This ability aids greatly in regulating and controlling body, balance, health, perseverance, compassion, and overall spirit.

It is no mistake that tai chi offers a lifetime of continued learning and progress; the goal is a deep understanding of yourself and your role in nature.

In this book, you will learn

• The theory of tai chi pushing hands
• Tai chi qigong foundation practice
• Tai chi jing (power) practice
• Two-person stationary push hands practice
• Two-person moving push hands practice
• Tai chi rollback and press push hands practice
• International standard push hands routine
• Two-person free style push hands
• Martial art applications in tai chi push hands practice

Dr. Yang reminds us “tai chi chuan was created based on the martial applications which were used for self-defense. Every movement of tai chi chuan has its unique martial purpose. Without this martial root, tai chi chuan practice will limited to a dance, lacking a deeper meaning or a deeper feeling.”

This book is complemented by two companion videos sold separately.

• Tai Chi Pushing Hands 1 - Yang Style Single and Double Pushing Hands
• Tai Chi Pushing Hands 2 - Yang Style Single and Double Pushing Hands

Available wherever DVD and Streaming videos are sold.

Chapter 1: Theory of Taiji Pushing Hands

1.1 Introduction

Taiji pushing hands theory is deep and wide and covers many related subjects. With this in mind, it is assumed that you already have a full understanding of certain concepts such as the differences in the definition of taiji and taijiquan. You should also have full understanding of the Thirteen Postures of taijiquan as well as the training theories of qigong. The basic concept of taiji pushing hands is to master the skills of eight basic jing patterns and the Five Steppings (ba men wu bu, 八門五步). Once you have learned and mastered these skills, you will be able to perform pushing hands actions effectively and eventually you will be able to develop your skills of freestyle sparring. Taijiquan practitioners without the knowledge or training in these basic concepts will have lost the taijiquan training essence and their training will remain shallow. It is similar to building a house without first creating a strong foundation. Without a proper base anything built on top of it will eventually crumble. With this in mind, we highly recommend you refer to the various books related to taijiquan at YMAA Publication Center before beginning your pushing hands training.

In the following sections we will first discuss the basic theories of taijiquan pushing hands training. We will then briefly highlight a few basics of rooting and centering. These simple concepts are necessary for becoming proficient in taijiquan pushing hands but are often overlooked. Next we will explore the relationships between yin-yang and taijiquan pushing hands. One should also be aware of substantial and insubstantial actions in taijiquan pushing hands training. Finally, a practitioner must also understand the six turning secrets. These six key training secrets will provide the practitioner with the knowledge of how to transfer their energy back and forth between yin and yang. It is important to know these methods of exchanging so you can comfortably change the movements involved in your interaction and gain control of your opponent.

1.2 About Pushing Hands

When discussing the concept of pushing hands we often envision two individuals engaging in an exercise where one is attempting to find the other’s center of gravity (i.e., physical center) and push them off balance. In some cases, the tendencies of aggressive behavior evolve into a competitive interaction between the two individuals, and unfortunately the essence of taiji pushing hands becomes lost, with one person winning the match through use of force. Pushing hands practice involves the application of taijiquan theory and basic movements into matching actions with a partner. To further understand the nature of taiji pushing hands we will explore a few theories written by taijiquan masters.

Taijiquan uses pushing hands training to practice the applications. Learning pushing hands means learning feeling jing. When there is feeling jing, then understanding jing is not difficult. Therefore, The Total Thesis (of Taijiquan) said: “from understanding jing then gradually reach the spiritual enlightenment.” There is no doubt that this sentence is rooted in (built upon) pushing hands. Peng (i.e., wardoff), lü (i.e., rollback), ji (i.e., press), and an (i.e., push), four (jing) patterns are the stationary pushing hands of adhering, connecting, attaching, and following which give up self and follow the opponent.¹

太極拳以練習推手為致用，學推手則即是學覺勁，有覺勁則懂勁便不難矣。故總論所謂由懂勁而階及神明，此言即根於推手無疑矣。掤、

、擠、按四式即黏、連、貼、隨舍己從人之定步推手。

Master Yang, Cheng-Fu (楊澄甫) illustrates here that the progression of understanding taijiquan applications is through pushing hands training. Through it you are able to build your skills of feeling. You will also note the emphasis on giving up oneself and following the opponent. By doing so, you will learn to understand your opponent’s intention and lead them into emptiness. These four basic jing (勁) patterns of stationary pushing hands are the main essence of learning this.

To give up myself and follow the opponent is to abandon my idea and follow the opponent’s movements. This is the most difficult thing (i.e., training) in taijiquan. Because when two persons are exchanging hands (i.e., combating), the conception of winning and losing is serious. (In this case) the opponent and I will not endure each other, not even mentioning that when mutually (we) are attacking each other or mutually stalemating with each other and (you) are asked to give up your right (of trying to win in a resisting competition). What is called to give up yourself and follow the opponent is not only explained from the words. In our Dao (i.e., the Dao of taijiquan), its hidden meaning is extremely profound. (In order to understand them and apply them in action) the practitioner must put a gongfu in the four words: solely focus on cultivating the human nature.²

捨己從人，是捨棄自己的主張，而依從他人動作。在太極拳中，為最難能之事。因兩人在交手之時，勝負之觀念重，彼我決不相容，何况互相攻擊，或在相持之中，而棄其權利。所謂捨己從人，不僅作字面解釋而矣。在吾道中，其寓意至深。學者當於惟務養性，四字下功 夫。

“Four words” means wardoff, rollback, press, and push. From this Wu-style taijiquan secret, we can see that the most profound and difficult part of taiji pushing hands is to release the ego and learn to be aware of incoming forces. We tend to be competitive in nature and at times we allow the emotional bond of the ego and the need to win to control our actions, leading to mutual resistance in a pushing hands engagement. When you are able to let go of your emotion and be patient, you can then allow yourself to follow and adhere to your opponent’s will. By learning to cultivate your emotional mind you will learn to manipulate your opponent’s intent and lead them to emptiness.

[Leading]: “(When) lead (the coming force) to enter the emptiness, unite and then immediately emit,” “(Use) four ounces to repel one thousand pounds.” Unification means repelling. If (one) can comprehend this word, (then) he is the one born to wisdom.³

《引》：〝引進落空合即出〞，〝四兩撥千斤〞，合即撥也，此字能 悟，真夙慧者也。

Master Wû, Cheng-Qing (武澄清) further expands upon the concept of leading your opponent into emptiness. Four ounces to repel one thousand pounds is a term common to taijiquan practices and pushing hands training. This basic concept relates to the necessity of using the skills of listening, adhering, and following rather than resisting when engaging your opponent. This process of leading involves the development of unification between you and your opponent’s mental intent. Once you understand this you will further understand the depths of taiji pushing hands.

The classic says: “Although in techniques, there are many side doors (i.e., other martial arts styles), after all, it is nothing more than the strong beating the weak.” Also says: “Investigate (consider) the saying of four ounces repel one thousand pounds. It is apparent that this cannot be accomplished by strength.” That the strong beating the weak is due to the pre-birth natural capability that is born with it. It (the capability) is not obtained through learning. What is called “using the four ounces to repel one thousand pounds” is actually matching the theory of using the balance (i.e., leverage). It does not matter the lightness or the heaviness of the body, the large or the small of the force, can shift the opponent’s weighting center, and (finally) move his entire body. Therefore, the reason that the movements of taijiquan are different from other (martial) techniques is because they do not defeat the opponent with force. Furthermore, (it) can not only strengthen the tendons, keep the bones healthy, and harmonize the qi and blood, but also be used to cultivate (i.e., harmonize) the body and (mental) mind, keep away from sickness and extend the life. (It) is a marvelous Dao of post-heaven body cultivation.⁴

經云：〝斯技旁門甚多，概不外有力打無力。〞又曰：〝查四兩撥千 斤之句，顯非力勝。〞夫有力打無力，斯乃先天自然之能，生而知 之。非學而後能之。所謂四兩撥千斤者，實則合乎權衡之理。無論體 之輕重，力之大小，能在動之間，移其重心，使之全身牽動。故太極 拳之動作，所以異於他技者，非務以力勝人也。推而進之，不惟強筋 健骨，調和氣血，而自能修養身心，卻病延年，為後天養身之妙道 焉。

Once again the author reminds us that taijiquan is an art that emphasizes softness in actions. It is different in that it doesn’t rely on the stiffness of blocking but instead focuses on matching your opponent through the use of listening and following. The whole body and mind are relaxed and centered. Using this leverage, the individual can move the opponent completely without force.

Ancient people said: “If (one is) able to lead (the coming force) into emptiness, (one) can (use) the four ounces to repel one thousand pounds; if (one is) unable to lead (the coming force) into the emptiness, (one) is unable to (use) the four ounces to repel one thousand pounds.” This saying is quite correct and conclusive. The beginners are unable to comprehend (this saying). I would like to add a few sentences to explain this. (This will) allow those practitioners who have strong will to learn these techniques (i.e., taijiquan) and be able to follow the opponent and have progress daily.⁵

昔人云，能引進落空，能四兩撥千斤；不能引進落空，不能四兩撥千斤。語甚賅括。初學末由領悟，予加數語以解之；俾有志斯技者，得以從人，庶日進有功矣。

Master Li, Yi-She (李亦畲) also says that one should understand the concept of using four ounces to repel one thousand pounds of force. Once again, the foundation of taijiquan pushing hands is to lead an incoming force into emptiness. This is done through the skills of listening and following. He goes on to say that the skills of listening and following are necessary for knowing your opponent, which means discerning his intentions and capabilities. Listening and following are also needed to know yourself, which means knowing how to harmoniously coordinate your mind, body, and spirit. You will find the above selection in the book, Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu and Li Styles, by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming available at YMAA Publication Center.

1.3 Taiji Pushing Hands Training Contents

Taiji pushing hands is commonly called “communication” or “question and answer” (wen da, 問答) in taijiquan practice. When you begin taiji pushing hands practice, you are exchanging your mental intent, skills, and qi with your opponent. You are applying your yin and yang sides of taijiquan training into actions with a partner. As such, the feeling (or “listening” in taijiquan) is extremely important. First you must have listening, and then you are able to understand. From understanding, you are able to attach, stick, follow, and connect. These are the crucial keys of taijiquan techniques. In fact, it is from these basic keys that the taijiquan martial skills can be applied.

From these basic practices, you learn how to master the fundamental structure of taijiquan: Thirteen Postures (十三勢).If you are not familiar with these postures and cannot apply them in action, your taijiquan will have lost its essence and should not be called taijiquan.

The contents of taiji pushing hands can be listed as:

1. Taiji Qigong: learn how to use the mind to lead the qi for action.

2. Balance and Rooting: learn how to keep yourself at the centered, balanced, and rooted position both when stationary and when stepping.

3. Stationary Single Pushing Hands: the first step to teach a beginner how to listen, yield, follow, lead, and neutralize. From single pushing hands, you build a firm foundation of double pushing hands.

4. Stationary Double Pushing Hands: also called “peng, lü, ji, an” (棚、据、擠、按). A drill teaches you how to use both hands to apply the first four basic structures of taijiquan. The four basic structures are wardoff (peng, 棚),rollback (lü,

)，press (ji, 擠), and push (an, 按).

5. Moving Single Pushing Hands: learn how to step while applying the basic four postures.

6. Moving Double Pushing Hands: learn how to step while using both hands to apply the basic four postures.

7. Rollback and Press: also commonly called “cai, lie, zhou, kao” (採、挒 、肘、靠) and means pluck, split, elbow, and bump. Rollback includes small rollback (xiao lü, 小

) and large rollback (da lü, 大

).This practice focuses on mastering the second four of the taijiquan Thirteen Postures.

8. Freestyle Pushing Hands. Once you are able to apply the eight basic jing patterns with smooth and skillful coordination with stepping, then you progress to freestyle pushing hands. Freestyle practice provides a firm foundation for sparring and setups for kicking, striking, wrestling, and qin na.

From the fundamental practice of single pushing hands, advancing into double pushing hands, (you learn) to listen, understand, advance forward, retreat backward, beware of the left, and look to the right. When (you) have reached a natural reactive stage of using the yi without the yi, then (you) may ente...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Editorial Notes
• Table of Contents
• Foreword by Pat Rice
• Foreword by Nick Gracenin
• Preface by David Grantham
• Preface by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming
• How to Use This Book
• Chapter 1: Theory of Taiji Pushing Hands
• Chapter 2: Taiji Qigong Practice—Foundation
• Chapter 3: Taiji Jing Practice
• Chapter 4: Single/Double Pushing Hands Training
• Chapter 5: Taiji Rollback/Press Pushing Hands Training
• Chapter 6: Examples of Martial Applications in Taiji Pushing Hands
• Chapter 7: Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• Dedication
• Appendix: Translation and Glossary of Chinese Terms
• Index
• About the Authors