Pushing Hands

Pushing Hands (Tuishou) trains you to develop sensitive feeling, or “Listening Jin” to sense to your opponent’s intention, understand their Jin (power), neutralize it, and then counterattack. The practice of Pushing Hands will provide you with an opportunity to cultivate a deeper awareness of both structure and intent, as well as a deeper level of relaxation in both your form and your life. Techniques are taught solo and with a partner, from the most basic to advanced.

Each 8-week term will focus on the practice on a different method of Pushing Hands, while maintaining the principles of Taijiquan. Each method will encompass the following:

  • Solo Practice
  • Mirror Practice
  • Partner Practice
  • Stationary
  • Shifting/Rocking
  • Linear Stepping, Forwards and Backwards
  • Freestyle Stepping

Each class will end with a review of the Artemis Taijiquan Mini Sequence.


A description of each method is below:


Taiji Symbol Sticking Hands, Yang Side:

Yin and Yang Taiji Symbols Sticking Hands training has long been known as an essence of Taijiquan. Chen style practitioners call it Chan Si Jin or "silk reeling force". This program, handed down from the Classical Yang style introduces the Yang side of the Taiji Symbol Training in five parts. Self practice of the Yang Taiji yin-yang pattern, stationary partner training, moving forwards/backwards partner training, moving parallel partner training and Bagua circle partner training. Learn a fantastic method to develop whole-body connection in every move!


Single Hand:

Learn how to build up your sensitivity, as well as how to yield, lead, and neutralize in Single Pushing Hands, which includes the Four Options of horizontal, upward, sideways, and downward neutralizing.


Double Hand:

In Double Pushing Hands you will learn the Six Options. In addition to the Four Options learned in Single Hand you must learn to use your other hand to control the opponent's elbow, along with Options 5 & 6 - repelling and sealing.


Peng, Lu, Ji, An Routine:

This is an international "Double Pushing Hands" routine that has been popularly practiced around the world. As the name implies, here you will train the four essential skills of Taijiquan - Peng (Wardoff), Lu (Rollback), Ji (Squeeze), An (Press Down). Add life to your Taijiquan form by learning how to use the postures and develop the skills inherent in them.


Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao Routine:

Another internation routine, Cai (Pluck), Li (Split), Zhou (Elbow) & Kao (Bump) represent the final four of the essential skills of Taijiquan. Cai, Li, Zhou, Kao are key skills required for Taijiquan martial applications.


Large Rollback Practice:

Large Rollback Moving Pushing Hands trains you to sense your partner's energy, intention and movements by listening to their skin, muscles, bones, joints and spine. Learn to yield to any incoming force and then redirect your partner's strength to your advantage utilizing techniques from the Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) form. Your partner's Jin (force) is channeled through your body and neutralized, or returned and used against your partner. Used to set up both Shuai (throws) and Na (locks).


Small Rollback Practice:

Small Rollback Moving Pushing Hands provides the same benefits as Large Rollback training and, once intergrated, will provide you with a useful option in Pushing Hands. Used to set up both Shuai (throws) and Na (locks).


Small Rollback, Large Rollback, and Press:

In this training, you will learn to mix the Small Rollback, Large Rollback, and Press techniques while moving. Your stepping must be firm and the angles of rollback and press must be accurate. Here your Taijiquan will become "alive"!


Coiling, Spiraling & Na Practice:

Sticking, coiling, adhering, spiraling and controlling are the skills drilled in this segment. These are the skills necessary for all Taijiquan applications and we will explore some of the Taiji Qinna (joint locks) that result from the correct application of these Taijiquan skills.


Taiji Symbol Sticking Hands, Yin Side:

Yin and Yang Taiji Symbol Sticking Hands training has long been known as an essence of Taijiquan. Chen style practitioners call it Chan Si Jin or "silk reeling force". This program, handed down from the Classical Yang style introduces the Yin side of the Taiji Symbol Training in five parts. Self practice of the Yin Taiji yin-yang pattern, stationary partner training, moving forwards/backwards partner training, moving parallel partner training and Bagua circle partner training. Learn a fantastic method to develop whole-body connection in every move!