HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND LINEAGE

Yang Style Taijiquan Pushing Hands (Tui Shou) is the essential bridge between solo form practice and actual combat. Within the Yang family 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. This instructional DVD is presented by Grandmaster Fu Shengyuan, a prominent lineage holder and the son of the legendary Fu Zhongwen. Master Fu, accompanied by his son Fu Qingquan, provides a direct transmission of the ancestral methods used to develop internal sensitivity and martial efficacy. Historically, Pushing Hands was the secret training method that allowed Yang family masters to achieve the state of 'The opponent does not know me, but I alone know the opponent,' embodying the highest level of Taoist martial wisdom.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND THE EIGHT ENERGIES

The practice of Pushing Hands is governed by the principles of 'Sticking, Following, and Not Separating or Colliding' (Zhan Nian Lian Sui). It serves as a melting pot for diverse martial skills, including grabbing, catching, wrestling, 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). Master Fu 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 Fu 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' (Yin Jin Luo Kong). 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 58-minute instructional DVD provides a detailed breakdown of Yang Style Pushing Hands, covering the transition from basic coiling to advanced technical applications. Master Fu Shengyuan 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 Yang family lineage.