| Push hands is a training method found in many | | | | idea to spend the majority of your time working |
| internal martial arts that has many different uses | | | | slowly and very correctly. This is the fastest way |
| and benefits. Methods very greatly but they all | | | | to build skill. |
| involve trying to move or unbalance an opponent, | | | | There are many different methods of pushing |
| and they usually prohibit striking techniques. | | | | hands and the types of skills they build vary |
| Push hands is often used as a source of | | | | between methods. Skills you can gain include: |
| competition and for tournaments however it's | | | | - Increased sensitivity and responsiveness to an |
| primary purpose is to develop the internal skills of | | | | opponents attacks |
| Tai Chi. Students are able to take the skills | | | | - Faster, more efficient and more powerful |
| practice in their solo forms and apply them | | | | strikes |
| against an opponent who is trying to defeat what | | | | - The ability to sense when an opponent is about |
| they are doing. At first it is a good idea to go | | | | to attack |
| slowly and work with your partner. This will build | | | | - The ability to stay calm and relaxed under |
| skill quickly and allow you to begin gain an | | | | stress |
| understand of using the principles of tai chi in a | | | | - The ability to quiet the mind and body |
| free flowing environment outside of the form. | | | | - Better control over your breath and movement |
| Once you have become more comfortable with | | | | - Learn to feel and manipulate your own energy |
| push hands practice and begun to build skill, you | | | | - Learn to feel and manipulate the energy of |
| can start practicing faster. Even after you have | | | | others and much much more. |
| become proficient at push hands it is still a good | | | | |