Wu Pushing Hands Classroom
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This is a support classroom for my students that I teach in class and privately in Sydney Australia. The below are lists of the movements of the traditional Pushing Hands forms,
enjoy, Stephen Procter
Wu Tai Chi Pushing Hands
Wu Style Tai Chi has an elaborate Pushing Hands system that can is performed with another person to improve your balance and deepen the understanding of Wu Tai Chi. Without understanding and practice of Pushing Hands it is not possible to fully understand and improve your Slow Form.
Slow Form improves Pushing Hands, Pushing Hands improves Slow Form, they can't be separated. This System still exists today due to the diligence of lineage holders from first to sixth generation in Wu Tai Chi in the Shanghai branch. The Single Hand methods are the starting point for learning this system, traditionally there are five methods though there are seven methods that can be practiced.
Complete Movement List CLICK HERE
Wu Single Arm Pushing Hands
Single Hand Pushing Hands is the first step in Wu Pushing Hands training. These methods will teach you the principals of 'sticking', following', 'joining' plus the skill of listening. This initial training will help you understand your own balance, mentally and physically, in a way that Slow Form alone cannot teach you. Each method is trained in four ways to bring the body into balance and remove the trained prejudice of 'right handed', 'left handed'.
These four ways are
1. Right hand, right foot forward
2. Left hand, right foot forward
3. Right hand, left foot forward
4. Left hand, left foot forward
The Methods are:
1. Pressing Hand Method
2. Sticking Hand Method (2 Versions)
3. Overhead Method
4. Sticking Forearm Method (2 versions)
5. Sticking Elbow Method
1. Pressing Hand Method
2. Sticking Hand Method
Wu Double Arm Pushing Hands
Double Arm Pushing Hands brings co-ordination to a higher level, both arms and the whole body is involved in training combined, co-ordinated movements with the added mental training of non-resistance. The understanding of 'sticking', following', joining' is developed to a very high level as is listening skills. The four movements of 'Pung' (warding), 'Lu' (diverting), 'Ji' (pressing), 'An' (pushing) are found in every one of the Wu pushing hands methods and must be studied and understood. Each method is trained in four ways to bring the body into balance and remove the trained prejudice of 'right handed', 'left handed'.
These four ways are
1. Right hand circle, right foot forward
2. Left hand circle, right foot forward
3. Right hand circle, left foot forward
4. Left hand circle, left foot forward
The Double Arm Methods
There are 13 traditional methods and 18 methods that can be practiced. The variety in these methods train you to be comfortable in any bodily posture and to develop a high level of bodily flexibility and softness through a deep developed understanding of balance.
The 18 Methods are:
Pressing Methods
1. Pressing Method
2. Bouncing Method
3. Pressing / Hammer Method
Overhead Methods
4. Overhead Clockwise Method
5. Overhead Anti-Clockwise Method
6. Elbow Method
7. Wrist Method
8. Teapot Method
Winding Methods
9. Brush Knee Method
10. Small Winding Method
11. Large Winding Method12. Shoulder Leaning Method
Miscellaneous Methods
13. Sticking Hands Method
14. Needle in Deep Sea Method
15. Parting Horses Mane Method
16. Slanting Flying Method
17. Hooking Elbow Method
18. Sticking Elbow Method
Wu Stepping Methods
Wu Tai chi has an elaborate system of stepping to increase flexibility in movement and not just in the body, it also follows the same principals of 'sticking', following', 'joining' plus the skill of listening and at higher levels involves 'pushing hands' with the legs. In fact as the practice develops all parts of the body follow the principals of pushing hands.
The 11 Methods are:
1. Forward & Back Stepping
2. Stepping Around Left & Right
3. Step, Shift, Step
4. Ninety Degree Stepping
5. No. 3, 4, 2 Joined Together
6. Star Stepping
7. Diamond Stepping
8. Half Circle Stepping
9. Left Right Shoulder Press Stepping
10. Half Circle Stepping Leg Sweep
11. Freestyle - No Method