More Push Hands

Recently, it has been quite a barren time for push hands for me. Haven't had any really great discoveries. However, I realised that this is all part of training. My aim now as a beginner is to learn to follow.

I once read that in taichi push hands(tuishou) training, first you learn how to stick to your opponent. I split this into:

1. How to stick to your opponent,
How not to lose him.

2. How to sense
Sense for his strength, speed and direction.

3. How to react to that,
Keeping the first principle in mind.

Next:

4. Learn to recognise situations.
Know which situation is good for him and which is bad.
Know which is good for you and which is bad.

5. Know not to follow blindly,
If going into disadvantageous situation, respond!

However, the most important thing is to concentrate on sensing! Once you lose your concentraion, he has the advantage.

Well, basically i am here. So i figure the next level is the neutralising followed by issuing, which i would delay first until i feel that i have reached an approriate level.

Oh yes, another thing,

Benefits of loosening the shoulder:

1. Your opponent can't pull your whole person over that easily.
2. You won't get that irritating ache in your shoulders while pushing hands.
3. You can last longer.
4. You are so light that your opponent usually stretches out too much without realising it, giving you an advantage.
   
   Recently we had a new student in class. he was very stiff all over and he was questioning if tai chi principles can really work. Well, in the end, he was forced to move around to maintain his balance while we were just doing our usual circles.