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| Push Hands - Single |
| SINGLE PUSH HANDS First, start with the legs and work up. Without strong legs you can forget the Push Hands practice. The knees must always stay over the second toe on the Yang or heavy leg; this is the most structurally sound position for the leg. Even when turning the waist the knee must not move from this position. The light knee may move, but only backwards and forwards. Power comes from the front leg when moving back, and from the rear leg when moving forward. There must be a constant pressure between the two players. Loosen the waist The waist must be so loose that when the P�eng arm is pushed, the waist and hips just move with the push to either side like a bicycle wheel on its axis � the P�eng arm is the wheel and the head is the axis. Never allow your wheel to buckle. Listen with the wrist Your wrists are your ears in combat. The direction of force, and how much power to use is determined by the wrists, which are your centre. Never change direction in mid-stream otherwise you will be defeated. Make up your mind and then stick to it. When using a certain martial technique ask yourself, "If I used this technique against a master, would it work?�. Never break contact; this may work when executed very quickly while playing with someone less experienced than yourself, but you must think as if pushing with a master. Sink Probably the most important thing to remember is �sink�. Every time you move from rear to front, or from front to rear, sink and aim for the opposite foot. In this way you won�t be caught off balance with a pull. When attacking, curl the rear toes under to bring more Ch�i into the rear leg. Feel a line between the rear foot and the attacking palm. Sink your shoulders and be strong in your stance. Push with the legs, pull with the waist The power for the push comes from the rear leg while the power for the pull down comes from the waist. Keep the wrist in the centre as you push or pull, by turning the waist into it. Keep the back straight and the buttocks turned under at all times � in this way the power in the waist is not lost but connected directly to the palms from the rear foot. If the attack is to the left of your centre then turn your waist to the left, keeping your wrist in the centre. If the attack is to the right of your centre then turn your waist to the right. If the power comes directly into the centre then turn to your "closed" side. Right leg forward, right side is closed and left is open. Keep the unbendable arm and the immovable elbow Never allow your wrist to come any more than 90 degrees into your chest. BUT only use the right muscle for the job � no tension must be used in any other muscle. The fingers must always be relaxed. In this way we route the oncoming energy straight back to the rear foot. Be wary at each change The time for caution comes just between the opponent�s change from Yin to Yang. Use constant energy When changing feet, and the punch to the face or stomach is used, be certain not to use a jerking step. Place the heel down easily with complete control. Keep the back straight and vertical The waist and hips will not turn in the correct manner if the back is not vertical to the ground. This gives you complete grounding. The head is straight The head should not move, the chin is tucked in to keep all your centres in line. |
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