At one of the push hands class, I was discussing with a fellow student how to counter another person’s “attack”. While we were experimenting with various kinds of counter attack, a very important point emerged. I forgot about me.
Everyone is unique. Everyone has his own way of doing Tai Chi. It follows from this logic that everyone also has his own way of counter attacking. One method that works for one person may not work for another. And we are talking about counter-attacking the same person. Although he was showing me his way of counter attack, I have to develop my own way as well. I can adapt from his, but I have to learn how my body moves which is more efficient for myself than for others.
A question of “how did you do it” becomes “how can I do it my way”. Do not follow blindly what the teacher is teaching. Learn the essence, and adapt it to yourself. The whole world will be better off that way because you are contributing your own perspective to the world.
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5 Comments
As you say, the crux is to find the response that is natural for you. Push hands structures are great ways to set up little experiments that reveal your natural response so that it can become more relaxed and integrated into your movement.
I do not know how your training is going, but most schools teach a limited # of movement patterns with arms and feet and it can be helpful to mix it up a bit. You might find it valuable to check out my book, the Push Hands Workbook, (available at my website, http://www.nando-r.com as well as on amazon), to explore some of the other push hands patterns out there. Training moving step patterns is really important if you are trying to bridge to freer sparring.
Wishing you well in your training!
Nando Raynolds
I used to dabble in “techniques”. I’ve tried out various push hands styles including moving step patterns. Nowadays, I find that the more styles I try, the more difficult it is to learn the core lesson, i.e. to find the point that moves the person effortlessly. I now do more single handed fixed step push hands than before. There is no escape in single hand, so the basic has to be very very good. The patterns are fun, but I find more fun finding that one point, even though I’m not very good at it.
I do double handed fixed step push hands as well, but just for fun.
“I now do more single handed fixed step push hands than before. There is no escape in single hand, so the basic has to be very very good.”
What’s even more fun is to do single hand fixed step push hands against a partner who is allowed to use both hands and free footwork! This sort of exercise will really improve your use of your joints and sections and also help improve your awareness of your root.
Another variation is to do single hand push hands with free footwork against a partner who is allowed to use both hands and free footwork. This exercise will teach you the importance of angles, posture and position.
In keeping with the current title of your blog (i.e. The Journey Within) your own observation of “I forgot about me” is something you may be undervaluing. If you go deep enough there is no “you” but “all”. This being the case, all responds organically and fully in the moment.
There is a lot of talk about form here. I believe all of these exercises are essentially about building responsiveness and precision as well as an awareness of body as an extension of organic impulse. The primal awareness deep within always knows what is needed in the moment. Forgetting yourself is a step towards the surrender to this organic spontaneous impulse.
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@Tristan: I’m not there yet…
I already have trouble dealing with one hand! let alone a few hands and legs combined… haha
@Benjamin: strangely enough, my current teacher said the exact same thing – I have not let go enough!