Push Hands

One of the less understood concepts and forms that Master Moy shared with us to improve our health was the practice of ‘push hands’.  The movement is done with a partner using either one or two hands. To a beginner it resembles a Tor-Yu except the arms are applied differently. But as you work with your partner you soon discover that this practice has a unique rhythm and flow that is very different and hard to replicate in your personal Tor-Yu’s.

So why did Master Moy encourage all his students to practice this form whenever they had the chance? What was he trying to show us? From my experience ‘push hands’ help develop a constant connection between the hands and feet so one begins to experience a deeper interconnected wholeness between all parts of the body and the external environment. In short, it cultivates feeling!

In ‘push hands’ because of the gentle applied force from your partner you develop a heightened sense of your own body and how it naturally moves. At the same time because you and your partner’s arms always remain connected, you learn to feel the energy and intention of your partner and how they perceive the movement. This special combination along with the wish to stay balanced and relaxed creates a unique learning experience that needs patience and practice to cultivate a deep understanding of Master Moy’s Teaching and how it can help you and other people.

If you are like me, when you first learn, one tries to dominate the movement with your strength and muscles. Trying hard to control what your body does while hoping to outwit your partner.  But with time and some grace you slowly learn to let go and allow your feeling for the movement to guide you. It does not require too much thinking but rather to be fully in your body and awake to all that you feel.  At first try your best to feel the constant interplay between the many parts of your body such as the hands, feet, spine, pelvis and arms. Once you appreciate this outer quality, start to see and recognize how alignment, angles and relaxation help you control and slow the movement down. With this deeper understanding you are able to naturally keep the insides more relaxed and open, allowing you to practice much longer without getting fatigued.  If you persist with the practice, you may even begin to feel and know more directly the force that’s being applied through your body and direct it where you wish. For example, into the ground or deflect it away. This is why those that are experienced in the practice feel rooted in their feet and find it difficult to move off balance.

So, ‘push hands’ offers a unique opportunity to learn more about yourself, develop your Tai Chi and improve your health all the while helping another person do the same with their practice.  Nothing could be better!!

Please share with us your experience of ‘push hands’. If you are new and have never practiced before, try to find a friend to show you so you can learn together. Also please share your understanding or ask questions in the community comments section of the website.