Formosa Neijia

Wow! Check this out. This looks much more high level than the usual push hands material that you see out there. In this clip, I especially liked level three. Look at the cooperative, yet controlling, play between the two participants. That’s very smooth. Almost bagua-like. Here is part of an article from them that explains their unique approach to push hands:

Tui Shou is widely promoted as a means to enhance the practice of Taijiquan and not as a complete or independent system. From the outset, we wish to refute this. Tui Shou is a complete and independent ‘internal’ martial art based on the same fundamental principles of Daoist Alchemy that underpin other practices in this family. It is a complete alchemical science in itself and can be practiced as such in the same way that Taiji is practiced and likewise considered a ‘whole’ practice. In other words, we are saying that the same ‘benefits’ to which we aspire in Taijiquan are also possible to achieve using Tui Shou.

Tui Shou is an utterly independent internal martial art with components of solo and dual practice. From our point of view, it is devoid of competition in so much as we battle to achieve mastery of ourselves. Partnered ‘push hands’ allows us to measure the success of our practice, as it reveals the truth of our internal condition. However, it is also erroneous to believe that Tui Shou is an art dependant on two people working together. In fact, solo Push Hands exercises are an important prerequisite for dual practice. By practicing solo you develop the ability to listen to your body without the distraction of another person. You will begin with a partner when your internal sensitivity is more finely tuned. Inner listening really is the essence of Tui Shou.

Tui Shou, solo or dual practice, teaches the control of one’s internal energy. Ultimately, our goal is to respond to any external force or situation spontaneously and appropriately, expending a minimum of effort.

The Chinese science of Daoist Alchemy defines the human bio-energetic system in terms of ‘energy vessels’(dantian) and the pathways that connect them (meridians). Inside the physical body are nine major energy storage ‘vessels’ each of which must be nourished and ‘filled’ to ensure continued health and power. Tui Shou affords us the means to do this, if we can understand Tui Shou from the alchemical perspective.

This seems intuitive to me. And yet, we rarely see or hear about push hands being done in this fashion. If taiji has neigong, then extending that neigong into push hands work is just a natural part of the progression.

If this stuff intrigues you, then this longer article by the same folks will lay out the progression of the training.