Effect of Push-Hands in Chen Family Taijiquan

The Five Kinds of Push-Hands Patterns

If Taijiquan form is a study in knowing one’s body and mind, practicing the patterns of push-hands is a study in knowing the other’s body and mind through touch. It is not recommended to use unnecessary intention and strength. Rather, the goal is to gain sensitivity and proper timing in order to change the moves of an opponent.

The forms and push-hands of Taijiquan are heads and tails, such as the negative and the positive. When they come together, Taijiquan practices are fulfilled. Forms of Taijiquan are one way to realize the law of Taiji’s Yin and Yang. Push-Hands patterns are the way that one can unveil the law of Taiji’s Yin and Yang in motion with an opponent.

Therefore, the practice of Push-Hands should be done based upon Taijiquan’s disciplines. In this way, practitioners become more clear as to why forms should be executed slowly and Fang Song (deep relaxation) is so important.

Chen Bing Taiji Academy offers and teaches the classical push-hands methods as taught by the Chen family masters in Chenjiagou. The classical approach is that Taijiquan forms and push-hands are not separate. Instead, forms are revealed during the push-hands practices. With this classical approach, a practitioner learns to respond and change quickly and adroitly when an opponent changes, no matter if the movement is hard, soft, fast or slow.

The eight energies of Taijiquan (Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou and Kao) will be understood in the patterns of 5 kinds of push-hands. These are true Taiijquan applications in martial arts.

Purpose of Taijiquan Push-Hands Patterns (This is not martial fighting skills. This is practice for sensitivity in touch and motion with a partner.)

1. Understand Forms clearly. 2. Apply Forms to an opponent in change.

3. Firstly execute in regimented patterns, and secondly execute in a free pattern.

4. Learn how to strike and neutralize in a gentle way (without hurting each other)

5. Respond without intention. Just follow an opponent’s change.

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6. No unnecessary muscle strength is required.

7. Relax and harmonize the whole body in motion.

8. Maintain natural elasticity and resilience (Peng: ward-off)

9. Mutually and continuously move as one.

10. Keep communicating in motion.

11. Do not judge or intend in motion.

12. Maintain touch and sense an opponent as if part of your body.

13. Keep the external three combination (手身足外三合: arm, torso, leg) and the internal three combination (精氣神內三合: breathing, posture, spirit).

Tingjing, Dongjin and Hejin (Listening, Knowing and Combining force)

Listening (听劲 Tīng Jìn) – In contact or touch, notice an opponent’s movement and intention by using sensitivity of skin.

Knowing (懂劲 Dǒng Jìn) – After listening, apprehend an opponent’s force or energy and intention of emptiness or fullness.

Combining (合劲 Hé Jìn) – By utilizing the listening and knowing, combine any force from an opponent into your lead and pace.

Huajin and Fajin (Neutralization and Explosiveness)

Neutralization (化勁) – In touch or contact, bring an opponent’s energy toward your circle and range.

Explosiveness (發勁) – After neutralization, which makes a disconnect or an emptiness in an opponent, explode fully in order to make the opponent move away from your center.

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Marital Arts Application of Chen Family Taijiquan

Dongjin Tuishou (懂劲推手) – Except punching or kicking, everything else is allowed in free step applications.

Sanda (散打) – With punching or kicking, everything is allowed. Wearing protective gear is recommended to minimize injuries.

Key Disciplines of Push-Hands

舍己从人 (Shě Jǐ Cóng Rén)

应物自然 (Yīng Wù Zì Rán)

引进落空四两拨千斤 (Yǐn JìnLuò Kōng Sì Liǎng Bō Qiān Jīn)

借力打人 (Jiè Lì Dǎ rén)

沾连粘随 (Zhān Nián Lián Suí)

Written by Bosco Baek of Chen Bing Taiji Academy

All Rights Reserved.

[email protected] www.ChenBing.org 323 – 735 – 0672