Pushing hands

Pushing hands in Shanghai, China

The practitioner on the right demonstrates how péng can be used to resist a push

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Pushing hands tournament

Pushing hands or Tui Shou is a training routine practiced in internal martial arts, especially in Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan). It involves two participants who work to improve their martial arts skills, such as balance, timing, and sensitivity to the direction and strength of a partner's intention. This practice is fundamental in Tai Chi and is used as a bridge between solo forms, which are sequences of movements practiced alone, and martial application against an opponent.

Overview

Pushing hands works on the principle of softness overcoming hardness. Through gentle, cooperative effort, practitioners learn to yield to force and redirect it, rather than opposing it directly. This is in line with the Tai Chi principle of "using the soft to defeat the hard." The practice is not only about physical skills but also about developing a deeper understanding of one's energy (Qi) and how to control and flow with it.

Techniques and Training

The basic techniques in pushing hands involve single-handed and double-handed drills. These drills are designed to teach the practitioners how to maintain their balance, root, and center while attempting to unbalance their partner. The exercises progress from fixed-step drills, where the feet remain in place, to moving-step drills, which allow movement around the area.

• Single-Handed Pushing Hands: This is usually the first drill learned, focusing on one hand to feel and redirect the partner's force.
• Double-Handed Pushing Hands: This involves both hands and adds complexity, requiring greater coordination and sensitivity.
• Fixed-Step: In these drills, practitioners are not allowed to move their feet, emphasizing upper body skills and root.
• Moving-Step: This allows practitioners to step around, adding mobility and the ability to apply techniques in a more dynamic context.

Competitions

Pushing hands competitions are held, where the objective is to push the opponent off balance or out of a marked area. These competitions test a practitioner's skill in applying the principles of Tai Chi in a semi-competitive environment. The rules vary, but generally, strikes are not allowed, and the focus is on skillful manipulation of force rather than brute strength.

Benefits

The benefits of practicing pushing hands extend beyond martial applications. It improves balance, coordination, and body awareness. Practitioners also report improvements in mental and emotional well-being, as the practice encourages mindfulness and a calm, focused state of mind.

Cultural Significance

Pushing hands is deeply embedded in Chinese martial arts culture and philosophy. It exemplifies the Taoist principles of balance and harmony, teaching practitioners to meet force with softness and to find strength in flexibility.