Sifu (teacher) Gary Tong will introduce you to the basic principles of Tai Chi Push Hands or "Partner Energy Training". This practice will improve your understanding of “Grasping the Bird’s Tail” posture (ward-off, roll back, press, push). It will also develop your sense of touch. You will learn to relax, listen, adhere and flow with someone else.

 

A Basic Principle of Tai Chi Chuan –

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“When alone, as if with someone else”.

                                                

“When with someone else, as if alone”.

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Push hands or "Partner Energy Training" is one of the most misunderstood concepts of tai chi.  Some think of it as slightly controlled sparring and some think it is very dance like.  For that reason, it scares off practitioners who may not see the relationship between push hands and their goals. So before tuning out, if you are not martially focused, but health focused, please read on.  And if you are martially focused, please read on. 

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Push hands is hugely important for the development of internal skills, e.g. health, martial applications and spiritual awakening. “Tao”

 

 

Why do tai chi push hands?

 

Let’s start with 6 huge advantages for practicing push hands or partner energy training. For one, you will gain an understanding of the body mechanics of the art. You will also learn to relax and maintain your center, your focus and your balance within your dantien.

 

You will understand why a posture from the form is done a certain way (application). You may not be exactly sure where a hand goes in a posture but when you learn the application it is cemented in your brain.

 

Push hands teach us the four main energies of Tai Chi Chuan:

 

Listening (Ting)

Understanding (Tong or Dong)

Neutralizing (Hua)

Issuing or Releasing (Fa)

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Beginners should think of push hands as a partner energy practice (Qigong) to help improve their relaxation, sensitivity and a harmonious flow of energy. 

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A good solo practice for push hands is the “Tai Chi Circle Form”.

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