We have begun to explore the Yangjia Michuan Taiji Tuishou (Push Hands) exercises in our Saturday intermediate class. Wang Yen-nien taught the complete set of 15 exercises at the NYCYMT sponsored 1996 Workshop, which took place at the West Side YMCA and at Mercy College in the Summer of 1996. With help from others, and Master Wang’s permission and encouragement, I was able to document the event and have made the videos available for those who wish to study and learn Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan. As we begin to practice each exercise I will post corresponding links for study. There will most likely be ads that come up, which I have no relation or connection to, as these videos are on my YouTube channel. This blog/site will remain ad free.

Click here for access to the other Push Hands exercises

We have been publishing Mark Linett’s Tuishou notes from his time learning from Master Wang in Taiwan. Here is an excerpt from Mark’s notes about Push Hands exercise # 3. It is a suitable companion to the video and will help students better understand the tuishou journey.

Tuishou Exercise # 4

Xiang Hou Wan Yao

XIANG  QIAN  WAN  YAO 

Bend Forward from the Waist

This is a passive yielding movement in which we root an incoming push to the Dantian by sinking down on the back foot. Here we do not want to resist the push while the body or the arms remain in contact with the push at the Dantian level. As we descend on the back leg, the arms naturally rise up to help maintain balance. If the push is too deep and too powerful to yield to it, we have an option. We can gently take hold of the pusher’s elbow and gently move it to the side by turning the waist.

It is important here not to use any strength in your yielding movement so as not to telegraph your intention. When you move his/her arm to the side, you are creating an opportunity for yourself since your partner will be falling into the void. In this moment, it is not necessary to use any hard strength (Li). If he/she senses that you are leading him into the void and he  begins to withdraw or move back, then just follow him and push him.