push hands or tui shou is a paired exercise used by t'ai c'hi practitioners and martial artist to learn subtle skills, where-by you can overcome a bigger stronger opponent.
The rough stuff is not compulsory or necessary. Being able to "deflect a thousand pounds with four ounces" can be played with using a willing and gentle partner. Push hands exercises test how good your Tai Chi is. By pushing on each other you get a better understanding of how stable and flexible you or your partner is. It is often said we play Tai Chi or play push hands because it not really about winning or getting it right.
These exercise are often best done as softly as possible, but a bit of rough-housing is allowed if everyone is up for that. The aim is test Tai Chi principles and provide context for the moves that you may having been doing on your own. Ultimately, you can progress toward something looking more like sparring.
Even if you have no intention of practicing martial arts, push hands can be a fun game to play and can help improve your understanding of Tai Chi Chuan.
Tai Chi can be cultural (wen) or marital (wu), you can do one of the other or both. Read more ...
The Wen and the Wu of Tai Chi. April 8, 2010. tingjing.wordpress.com
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Tai Chi – Martial Applications. June 30, 2014. tingjing.wordpress.com
