HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND THE ART OF Pushing Hands

Chen Style Taijiquan Pushing Hands (Tui Shou) is the essential bridge between solo Technical Routine practice and actual combat. Within the Chenjiagou tradition, Pushing Hands is the laboratory where the Internal Power (Nei Jin) and structural integrity developed in the forms are tested against a resisting partner. Grandmaster Wang Xi'an, an 11th generation heir and a legendary figure in the Wushu world, presents this system as the 'Technique of Knowing the Opponent.' While solo forms provide 'Knowledge of Self,' Pushing Hands teaches the practitioner to read the opponent's intent and center of gravity. This DVD preserves the ancestral methods used to develop 'Pre-consciousness' and 'Internal Sensibility,' allowing a smaller practitioner to overcome a larger, stronger opponent through superior bio-mechanical efficiency.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND THE EIGHT ENERGIES

The practice of Pushing Hands is governed by the principles of 'Sticking, Closing, Cohering, and Following' (Zhan Nian Lian Sui). It serves as a melting pot for diverse martial skills, including grabbing (Qin Na), catching, wrestling (Shuai), and striking. The technical routine focuses on the application of the 'Eight Core Energies': Ward-off (Peng), Deflect (Lu), Squeeze (Ji), Press (An), Pull Downward (Cai), Split (Lie), Elbow Stroke (Zhou), and Shoulder Stroke (Kao). Grandmaster Wang demonstrates how to use these energies to maintain a 'Fluid Structure' while under pressure. The goal is to cultivate a 'Whole Body Touch' sensitivity, where the skin and internal organs become highly responsive to the opponent's kinetic energy, allowing the practitioner to 'Avoid the Solid and Strike the Empty.'

BIO-MECHANICAL ALIGNMENT AND SENSITIVITY

The bio-mechanics of Pushing Hands require perfect 'Spinal Alignment' and 'Dantian Rotation.' Power is not resisted with brute strength; instead, it is neutralized through 'Silk Reeling' (Chan Si Jin) and redirected. Master Wang emphasizes the importance of 'Sinking the Qi' and maintaining a 'Rooted' stance to borrow the opponent's strength—a concept known as 'Leading into Emptiness.' The training focuses on developing 'Listening Power' (Ting Jin), which allows the practitioner to sense the direction and magnitude of an attack the moment contact is made. This internal sensibility is what allows for 'Superb Skill' in combat, where the practitioner stays 'Ahead of the Opponent' by anticipating their every move through tactile feedback.

CULTIVATION AND COMBAT MASTERY

This 55-minute instructional DVD provides a detailed breakdown of Chen Style Pushing Hands, covering the transition from basic twining to advanced technical applications. Master Wang Xi'an focuses on the 'Cohesive Choreography' of two-person drills, showing how to maintain the 'Hard-Soft' balance during dynamic encounters. The practice is designed to sharpen the martial artist's reflexes and tactical awareness, ensuring that the principles of Taijiquan are maintained even in the heat of a fight. By following this systematic approach, students can transform their Tai Chi from a health exercise into a high-level martial skill, achieving the 'Ever-Victorious' state of knowing both oneself and the enemy. This DVD is an essential resource for any practitioner wishing to master the combat depth of the Chen family lineage.