Pushing Hands Class : Review

To move correctly the foot must push the body so that the body movement is controlled by the feet. In this way the body can move as one piece and then there is internal quiet and the movement of an opponent is easy to detect and respond to.

The method of using the foot is as follows : if the right foot is forward and the left arm presents ward off, then, when your opponent pushes towards your arm, you respond by pushing back from your right foot and sinking the hip crease on the front of the body and allow the force of the push to turn your pelvis to the left whilst moving the weight back.

Touch, Stick, Follow and Join.
The basic qualities of contact are touch, stick, follow and join."Touch" is simple contact, skin to skin. "Stick" means that you keep contact as your partner moves. This enables you to "follow." "Join" is more difficult to master in practice but it is important to be clear what it means.

When you 'join' you are able to feel within the contact of your partner a substantial quality which corresponds to the actual force which would push you over if it were allowed to. This quality is dynamic and changes constantly depending on the intent of your opponent. To be able to read your opponent's force you must have a clear perception of this force and be able to 'join' with it. This really is like a kind of energetic sticking at a deeper layer.

When your opponent makes contact, you do not allow them to 'join.' However, you 'join' with them.

If you are able to 'join' with your opponent's force you can then learn to empty their substantial force whilst maintaining contact with them. This called 'neutralising' your opponent's force.

In some cases you empty their force through your own body and in other situations you may lead their force away from you body.
Bristol 15.02.09