Five common mistakes in Tai Chi push hands
Item
Title
Five common mistakes in Tai Chi push hands
Description
Qi (2020), Hjortborg, Sara Kim.
Abstract
What are the biggest struggles that Tai Chi (Taijiquan) practitioners experience in push hands practice? How do we address them? Tai Chi push hands is a partner exercise that teaches the student to respond to an external force by yielding and redirecting an aggressive energy rather than directly opposing it. This exercise inculcates the principles of sticking, joining, adhering, following, not resisting, and not disconnecting. In theory, push hands practice should create a balanced, harmonious, and fluent interaction between the two partners. But, as in any other practice or personal relation, tensions or disagreements can arise between the partners. In push hands tension in interactions is usually experienced as feelings of resistance and disharmony. Why do people tend to resist? How can we troubleshoot and assess these problems? In the following, Roland Von Loefen shares advice on five common misunderstandings in Tai Chi push hands practice and offers his reflections on the life-long process of mastering the art of Tai Chi. Roland is an inner student and certified instructor of the Taijiquan School of Central Equilibrium.
Creator
Language
English
Date
volume
30
issue
3
page start
4
page end
8
Alternative Title
Qi
issn
1056-4004