Push Hands?

Recently, I have sort of awakened to the thing of pushing hands.

1. Pushing hands is not about the ritual of pushing in circles. It is just a guideline.

2. Pushing hands is not a competition of who is stronger. It is about using the correct amount of force efficiently and at the right time.

3. Pushing hands is not about resisting your opponent strength. It is about going with it all to find its weakness.

4. Pushing hands is about feeling the intent of your opponent. Know what your opponent wants to do.

5. Pushing hands is about using the strength of your opponent.

It is said, "When he is still, I am still. When he moves, I reach there before him."

When he pushes, I retreat. But I reach there before him.
He loses his target, loses his strength.
When he retreats, I push. But I reach there before him.
He loses his balance.

When moving forward and backwards while following, use the kua and legs.

When pushing around, use the waist.

When doing anything, maintain a good centre. Do not ever give your buttocks to your opponent.

In push hands, one must always follow closely, so that there is no gap for him to take advantage of.

In push hands, one must always follow closely and create a gap when a chance is available to retaliate.

Whether in attacking or defending, one is always reading, feeling, listening to your opponents force and intent. Never lose concentration!

When having read your opponent's strength and intent, respond to it! Don't daydream! Or else it will be all over before you know it!

When following, watch for tricks, watch for traps, watch for holes! Do not follow him straight into the hole!

When wrist is caught, throw in the elbow.
When elbow is caught, throw in the shoulder.
When shoulder is caught, throw in the chest.
When chest is caught, throw in the waist.
When waist is caught, throw in everything else.
Continuous, never stopping.


When the wrist is neutralised, use the elbow.
When the elbow is neutralised, use the shoulder.
When the shoulder is neutralised, use the hip.
When the hip is neutralised, use the knee.
When the knee is neutralised, use everything else.
Continuous, never stopping.

This is what I can gather so far from my practice. Hopefully it can get better.

Taiji's All Round Defence

While i was just strolling, on the streets today, it suddenly dawned upon me that the Yang Style taiji form has really good defense, not even one of the move neglects defense. When attacking, defense is not forgotten(see Brush Knee Twist step and the kicks). When turning, it is also not forgotten(see Bring Tiger Back to Mountain, Jade Maiden), not to mention Cloud Hands. Thus it is one should keep in mind the defense properties of the various moves and how to use them well to build a continuous and impenetrable defense.