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Push hands as taught by Hong Junsheng
1. Master Peter Wu on Push Hands and Combat Skills
By Hean K. Low
Note: The following interview was conducted in Chinese. Therefore any misinterpretation or error is due to the
inadequate English terminology in the process of translationâH. K. Low. (H.K. Low is a student of Peter Wu.) Peter Wu
has been practicing Taijiquan for almost 35 years including almost 25 years of teaching experience in China. Many of his
students have won gold medals in both International and national Taijiquan/push hands competitions. in 1987, Master Wu
migrated to Australia.
Hean K. Low: What are Taijiquan (Tai Chi Châuan) push hands exercises (tuishou)?
Peter Wu: Taijiquan push hands is a two-person practice or drill (duilian) whereby the practitioners
can practice the combat skills of Taijiquan. There are many types of duilian in Taijiquan, for example,
push hands, free sparring (sanshou), weaponry such as sword, broadsword, spear, pole or staff, etc.
However, push hands exercise is the foundation of all the duilian practices. If you possess a good
foundation in push hands, then other types of duilian will not be too difficult to learn. Conversely, if
you do not have a strong foundation and proceed to practice the two-person drills, then you will not
attain the martial or combat characteristics and skills of Taijiquan.
In brief, tuishou consists of two persons in contact with their hands, trying to upset each otherâs balance
by using the spiral and round movements, typical of Taijiquan. There are many types of arm-circling in
tuishou and the legs are always involved, i.e., the legs are pushing (duijiao) while the hands are
pushing. (Note: The involvement of leg-pushing is one of the unique characteristic of Chen-style
Taijiquan push hands).
HKL: What is the main objective of push hands?
PW: Push hands exercises play a major
role in Taijiquan. It provides a foundation
for the martial aspect of Taijiquan. If one is
not proficient enough in push hands, then in
sparring, one cannot apply the
characteristics and skills of Taijiquan.
There are two major characteristics in the
martial aspect of Taijiquan. First is to follow
and resiliently accommodate the opponentâs
force. In other words, neither resisting nor
yielding too much, but resiliently
accommodating the opponentâs movements
and changing the direction of the incoming
force. This is what is termed âluring the
opponent into a void, subduing the
heavy with the light.â
Second is to have total control of your opponent. That is, after you have lured the opponent into a void,
control the opponent through the friction at the point of contact, and put into effect the skill of
âcapitalizing on the opponentâs momentum to one s advantage, with a view of upsetting the opponentâs
balance.â And then at the most opportune time, in terms of timing and relative position at the point of
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2. contact, you release your explosive power, thereby âsubduing the light with the heavyâ and âthe void
with the substantial.â
To gain proficiency in the martial aspect of Taijiquan requires a great deal of push hands training and
proper guidance. Lastly, push hands is also a test whereby we can examine our Taijiquan form, or
routine.
HKL: Why do push hands exercises require the contact of hands?
PW: This is the unique characteristic of the martial aspect of Taijiquan. Only through the contact of
hands can one sense the magnitude and speed of the opponentâs force, as well as the changes to the
opponentâs center of gravity. Then, one can
control the opponent via the point of
contact, and at the most opportune time in
terms of timing and relative position, attack
the opponent with a sudden burst of force
(fajing), sending the opponent off.
In brief, using the Taijiquan terminology,
only through the physical point of contact
can one practice the intercepting (jiejing),
listening (tingjing), neutralizing (huajing),
stringing/joining (chuanjing), pressuring
(bijing), and force-releasing (fajing)
capabilities.
(Stringing up the bone joints of the
opponent is like stringing the pearl.)
HKL: Then, why the circling or spiralling of the hands?
PW: Because the spiral movements make contact and do not oppose (ding) the incoming force.
However, it should be emphasized that one still needs to follow and resiliently accommodate the
opponentâs force and movements, changing the direction of the incoming force in such a way that it
will not be directed towards oneâs body, and will, at the same time, upset the opponentâs balance.
Thus, one gains the advantageous position. Then, if one counterattacks with a sudden burst of force, the
spiralling movements should also be used. This should prevent the opponent from sensing out the
direction and changes of the attacking force, thereby make possible the subduing of the opponent.
HKL: Can you please describe briefly the characteristics of Chen style Taijiquan push hands?
PW: From the point of the external movement, Chen style push hands has the following characteris-
tics:
1. The stance is much lower and bigger;
2. The body is at an angle facing the opponent or partner;
3. The usage of âtrap-insertâ (taocha bu) stance and footwork; and
4. The twining and spiralling movements of the body and limbs in a distinct, coordinated manner.
The above-mentioned characteristics are based on practical training and martial applications. For
example, the aim of the lower and bigger stance is to lay a strong foundation (jibengong).
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3. But, of course, in a combat situation the stance cannot be too big or too low; as it is said in the old
saying, âTrain big, use small.â
The second characteristic is to reduce the opponentâs attacking area, and thereby it is much easier to
lure the opponent sideways and eliminate the possibility of opposing the opponentâs incoming force.
The usage of âtrap-insertâ footwork is to control the opponentâs leg and prevent the opponent from
kicking.
This type of footwork
training is very important,
especially in combat situa-
tions. Furthermore, it is
much easier to topple the
opponent using this type of
footwork in push hands,
and thus understand the
basic skill of âdeflecting a
thousand pounds
momentum with a force of
four ounces.
The purpose of the
spiralling movements, as I
have mentioned
previously, is to neutralize
the opponentâs attack and
to gain control over the opponent.
From the point of the combat skills, Chen style push hands is filled with martial art techniques. The
hands and legs are used co-ordinately. Of course, there are some similarities with other major styles of
Taijiquan; for example, pushing, pressuring and force releasing. However, in Chen style push hands,
we employ more of the capturing and holding (qin na) skills, and throwing techniques.
HKL: Some people have said the Chen style push hands places too much emphasis on techniques, and
not on energy pathways (jing-lu). Can you please elaborate on this issue?
PW: This is a total misconception. Martial skills may
not be up to standard, no matter which style of Taijiquan
is practiced. There are some practitioners who only know
the techniques and not the energy pathways. We have
heard so many stories about grandmaster Chen Fake
(1887-1957, 17th generation of the Chen style) who was
able to throw his opponents away. If grandmaster Chen
did not control his opponentsâ energy pathways, can he
still send his opponents flying off?
To be truthful, good techniques help to control the
opponentâs energy pathways. I came to realize this point
when I studied under grandmaster Hong Junsheng (born
1906, one of the best students of Chen Fake). No matter
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4. which style of Taijiquan, if the Taijiquan master can send his opponents flying off, then his/her skills
are very good.
However, it is rarely seen that the usage of the technique of roll-back and pull (lu-cai) is used to send
the opponent flying off diagonally forward (i. e., sideways towards my back). I learned this technique
when I studied under grandmaster Hong. Basically, the roll-back and pull technique is employed in
conjunction with the capturing and holding technique, and to thus control the opponent as a whole and
send the opponent flying off.
If you practice Chen style diligently and cor-
rectly, then the energy
pathways in your body would become like âa
three dimensional spiralling shape.â This is
the product of silk-reeling energy
(chansijing). This type of spiralling energy, if
applied on the opponent, will create the
possibility for using a lot of changes.
For example, one can adjust the angle and
direction, and send the opponent flying off at
a different angle, direction and form. If the
martial skills (gongfu) then progress to an
advanced level, there will be more changes,
and this can be used as a motivation to track
the ultimate path of Taijiquan.
HKL: Can you describe the content or syllabus of the Chen style push hands?
PW: The content can be looked at from two viewpoints. First is the shape or form of the push hands
exercises. There are many forms in Chen style push hands. Looking at the hand movements, the push
hands exercises can be divided into:
1. single-hand (dan tuishou) exercises; and
2. double-hand (shuang tuishou) exercises.
The single-hand exercises can be further divided into:
a. horizontal-circling (pingyuan);
b. vertical-circling (liyuan);
c. with and without capturing and holding techniques (qin-na).
The double-hand exercises can be further divided into:
a. simple arm-circling, which employs the movements of âward-off (peng), press (ji), and
push (an).â This is classically known as the âold three-handsâ (lao san shou);
b. the movements that employ ward-off, pull-back (lu), press and push;
c. the separation of hand circling exercises, whereby the right and left hands are joined with
the left and right hands of the opponent; and lastly
d. the free-hand pushing (santui).
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5. Looking at the leg or step movements, we have:
1. fixed-step (dingbu) exercises; and
2. moving-step (dongdu) exercises.
These can be further divided into:
a. âharmonized-stepâ (hebu) i. e., each person steps up with the same foot (similar to other
styles); and
b. âtrap-insert stepâ (taocha bu) ie. your right foot is placed inside the opponentâs left knee (this
is known as insert, cha) while the opponentâs left foot is on the outside of your right knee (this
is known as trapping, too), thus the two knees are sticking to each other.
The moving-step exercises can be further divided into:
a. one-step in advance and retreat (jing yi dui yi);
b. similar to (a), but with much lower stance, known as the âbig pullbackâ (ta-lu);
c. continuous advances and retreats (lianxu jingdui); and
d. free-step (luancaihua). With the combinations and permutations of the hand and leg movements,
With the combinations and permutations of the hand and leg movements, we have many types of push
hands exercises.
Second is looking at the end result or effect of the
skills and techniques employed during the push hands
exercises. For example, control and making the
opponent unchangeable, pushing off the opponent,
making the opponent stumble on the ground, and
making both feet of the opponent come off the ground,
etc.
To have such effect on the opponent, there are lots of
techniques available. Some techniques utilize the use
of hands, elbow, shoulder and sometimes in con-
junction with the use of legs, etc. While employing the
techniques, the magnitude of the velocity and force can
be slow and even so as to pressurize the opponent
(bijing), or fast and forceful (fajing) to send the
opponent off. It is much safer to employ the pressuring
capability to upset the opponentâs balance.
When one employs fajing, one has to take into account the relative position of the opponent in order to
avoid any unnecessary injuries. It should be emphasized that in push hands exercises, it is very
unethical to employ uncontrolled techniques such as hitting, striking, kicking, throwing, etc., that
would cause injuries to the opponent.
HKL: What is the relationship between push hands and Taijiquan form, or routine (quanjia/taolu)?
PW: Practicing the form is the most important part in Taijiquan. As we all know, when we start
learning Taijiquan, we learn the movements of each posture. Then, from these postures, we get to know
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6. the martial applications. We then progress to the practice of the torso methods (shenfa) and the
essential principles (yaoling) regarding the practice of Taijiquan.
This is because the requirements of the limbs and body movements in Taijiquan are different from the
movements which we are used to in our daily life. Only through the practice of each of the essential
principles of Taijiquan, can we eliminate the faults and habits (e. g., stiffness, body leaning to one side,
etc.).
Also, we practice the elastic energy (jing), vital internal energy (qi - breath energy that flows along the
channels within our body) and mind, consciousness or intention (yi) while we practicing the form.
Thus, it is sometimes said in the classics, âPracticing Taijiquan is to learn the skill of knowing oneself.â
After the basic foundation of the form has been acquired, then one can proceed to the push hands
exercises. Through push hands exercises, we can check that our form corresponds to the essential
principles regarding the practice of Taijiquan. At the same time, we learn to listen or sense the
opponentâs force and movements and respond in the best possible way. Therefore, it is said,
âPracticing push hands is to learn the skill of knowing the opponentâ.
Some people have said the practice of push hands exercises comes only after one has acquired a solid
foundation in the form. Personally, I donât agree with this statement, because, although the practice of
the form provides you with a means of practicing the torso methods and the essential principles, these
are all external movements. All the subtleties and intricacies that are involved in push hands cannot be
discovered by only practicing the form. Hence, to learn the capability of âknowing the opponent,â one
must integrate push hands into oneâs Taijiquan practice.
Furthermore, to learn the skill of âknowing
oneselfâ requires push hands exercises as any
faults appearing in push hands can be eliminated
by returning to the practice of the form. If one
relies only on push hands exercises, one will
never get rid of the faults.
Also, some people believe Taijiquan is more of
an art for health. Therefore, it is not necessary to
practice the push hands exercises. They are
certainly not wrong in this regard, for it has been
amply proven that Taijiquan has certain curative
effects for chronic ailments such as high blood
pressure, arthritis, diabetes, etc.
However, if one also incorporates the push
hands exercises, oneâs health will benefit even
more as well as maintaining interest and motivation. If one does not integrate push hands exercises,
then it is like eating the egg white and throwing away the egg yolk. What a great waste!!
HKL: Then, what is the relationship between push hands and free-fighting (san-ta)?
PW: Let me tell you a story first. This incident will help us to understand the relationship between
the two. My Hao-style teacher, master Liu Jixun, learned the art of boxing from a famous master during
his teenage years. (Hao style is also known as Wustyle, founded by Wu Yuxiang, 1812-1880. It is not
to be confused with the Wu-style founded by Wu Jianqian, 1870-1943.)
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7. Then, through a friend, Liu came to study under grandmaster Hao Sauru (grandson of Hao Weizhen,
1849-1920). One day, after two years of leaning, he asked Hao, âCan one apply Taijiquan in fighting?â
âCertainly can.â replied Hao. Liu then said, âCan I try?â âOf course!â came the reply. Liu then attacked
with his fist.
Hao intercepted the attack, made a lightning movement, then flung Liu backwards into the wall. Liu
still wasnât satisfied, as he did not apply a good forceful blow in the attack because he took into con-
sideration Hao âs elderly age. Liu then attacked with a left jab. Hao intercepted the attack, Liu quickly
launched a follow-up attack using a forceful right hook into Haoâs lower ribs. Hao did not anticipate
this right hook and it was too late to deflect it by hand. Suddenly, Hao made a âHENGâ sound. Liu was
uprooted and fell underneath the table.
After this second encounter, Liu came to realize the effectiveness and applicability of Taijiquan, and
exerted more effort in learning. One may ask, what has this got to do with the relationship between
push hands and fighting? There is, of course, a big relationship.
For instance, in the performance of hard internal skill, or strength (hard qigong), the performer can
withstand severe blows to his body without any visible injuries while maintaining his balance. Many
people will be amazed by these skills.
In a Taijiquan context, one must ask: Why must the performer withstand severe blows and not send his
opponent off simultaneously? It is because he does not possess the ultimate skill of push hands. I think
when grandmaster Hao intercepted master Liuâs right hook, it was not as a hard qigong master Would
do it, i. e., only opposing the incoming blow.
Instead, when Hao intercepted the attack, he made use of the physical point of contact to upset Liuâs
balance, and then attacked with a sudden burst of internal power. This level of skill comes entirely
from the persistent practice of push hands exercises.
If you only practice fighting, you may attain a very high skill, say, for example, like Bruce Lee, but you
will never acquire the fighting characteristics of Taijiquan as shown by grandmaster Hao. However, it
should be noted that not all Taijiquan push hands practitioners can attain this level of skill. This
capability is seen only from great Taijiquan practitioners.
Liuâs second attack is much more difficult to defend against than the first. The first attack can be easily
intercepted and the opponent sent away towards his back. However, in the second attack, the right hook
was not intercepted by the hand but the body, and the body is then used to upset the opponentâs balance
as well as to fly him off. It is by no mean an easy task!
In summary, by only practicing fighting skills without practicing push hands, one will never acquire the
combat characteristics of Taijiquan. If one has a strong foundation in push hands, then learning the
combat skills of Taijiquan will not be too difficult.
HKL: Can you please describe in further details the two major combat characteristics of Taijiquan?
PW: There are two major characteristics in the martial aspects of Taijiquan. The first is to neutralize
and accommodate the opponentâs incoming attack. The second is to control the opponent. Now, let us
discuss these two characteristics in detail.
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8. Many people know that Taijiquan has the capability of âdeflecting a thousands pounds momentum with
a force of four ounces.â This is to say, when the opponent attacks, I intercept and follow the opponentâs
incoming force and slightly deflect it sideways and then pull, thus, upsetting the opponentâs balance.
For example, the opponent attacks with his fist, I move out of the way of the incoming fist, ward-off
the attack and follow the opponentâs force.
At the same time, slightly deflecting the attack sideways, i.e., changing the direction of the incoming
force, I pull the opponent forward, thus the opponent will be forced to lose control of himself and fall
forward. This is known as neutralizing capability (huajing), or a type of borrowing force from the
opponentâs attack. However, it should be noted that this is not the only neutralizing skill, nor is it the
only unique characteristic of Taijiquan.
In fact, the neutralizing capability, as explained above, only illustrates the characteristic of âusing
minimum amount of force to topple the brute force.â It is not the ultimate skill of Taijiquan. Let us look
into this story:
Once, my teacher grandmaster Hong Junsheng was practicing martial applications with his student in
the front courtyard, which is equal to three rooms in area. Grandmaster Hongâs wife was squatting in
the middle of the courtyard, doing some housework.
The student then attacked with his right fist, Hong intercepted his attack using the technique similar to
the movements of the first posture of Chen style routine, Buddha Pounds the Mortar (jingang daodui).
That is, he used his right hand to ward off the attack and seized the studentâs wrist simultaneously,
while the left hand was placed on the studentâs elbow, and then pressed forward with the left arm and
pushed with the right hand. Suddenly, the student was sent off, flying over grandmaster Hongâs wife,
and fell at the end of the courtyard which was about ten feet away from his original position. One has
to ask: how can it be like that?
In fact, this is also a kind of borrowing force from the opponent and then a counter-attack. However,
this capability is much more difficult to do as it requires a higher skill than the capability I have
mentioned earlier.
Firstly, that particular student was a practitioner of
âform and mind boxingâ (Xingyiquan), and, therefore,
his attack was forceful, swift and well-coordinated,
like a ball full of air that can be bounced far away.
Secondly, when Hong intercepted his attack, it was
not straight and opposed to the incoming force, but
instead followed and diverted the force and
simultaneously made a small circle whereby
grandmaster Hong could control the opponent and
counter with a sudden burst of force (fajing). This is
the ultimate skill of borrowing and hitting. This is the
skill that all Taijiquan practitioners can pursue as their
goal.
Lastly, to have total control of the opponent in
Taijiquan does not mean using force to seize and
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9. make the opponent unmovable. In fact, this is the crude method of controlling. Of course, in Taijiquan,
we sometimes use seizing and capturing techniques (qin na) to control the pathways of the opponentâs
force in order to prevent the opponent neutralizing, changing his balance or counter-attacking at will.
However, it should be noted that the controlling process is still through the friction point of contact
whereby one can gain the advantageous position. This is known as ââcapitalizing the opponent to oneâs
advantageâ and from there one can hit the opponent with explosive force.
HKL: In push hands, we have many names for each different type of energy (jing); for example,
following energy (suijing), neutralizing energy (luajing), etc. They are very difficult to comprehend.
Can you elaborate on them?
PW: These are types of energy or techniques used in push hands. They are not only difficult to
understand for the beginners, they even cause âheadachesâ for those practitioners who have been
practiced Taijiquan for a long period and have attained a certain level of skills. Firstly, we need to find
out why these types of energy cause a lot of confusion.
Taijiquan is a very high-level martial art (wushu) in which the utilization of energies are boundless.
Each practitioner has his own naming convention to describe each energy. For example, the energy
used is the same but with different names, or the energy used is different but with similar names.
Therefore, when we hear about a certain type of energy, we could not clearly figure out what type of
energy is being referred to.
Some practitioners do not know anything about the utilization of energies. They describe each of them
as they like, making them very difficult to understand and as mysterious as possible. In fact, to describe
each type of energy clearly is not an easy task. I think it is better to describe them in the near future.
However, let us use an example and briefly describe the types of energy used:
Earlier I mentioned about an incident where grandmaster Hong flung his student several meters away.
The whole scenario took about a half a second. Now let us distinguish the types of energy used. The
opponent attacked with his right fist. Hong intercepted the attack with his right hand on the opponentâs
wrist. This is called âintercepting energyâ (jie-jing). Then he let the opponentâs torce came a little bit
forward. This is called ââfollowing energyââ(sui-jing). After following, he deflected the opponentâs
force towards the right in order to make the opponentâs force one-sided. This is called âneutralizing
energyâ (hua-jing). Then, he used âstopping energyâ (jie-jing) in order to prevent the opponentâs force
from coming out. After âstoppingâ slightly, he issued force forward and downwardly, using the
âstringing energyâ (chuan-jing) to make the opponent as a whole coordinated object. At the same time,
he prepared to release the energy. This is called âstoring energyâ (xu-jing). When the opponentâs force
"sprung" back towards the opponent, the issuing force (fajing) went directly forward, and sent the
opponent flying off. All these happened in a small movement. From external view point, it only
involved a small circular movement but there were many types of energy being used.
HKL: Within grandmaster Hongâs interception of the attack, there were many types of energy. Is it
true that all those types of energy have to be present?
PW: Yes. The energies have to be there and one has to utilize them well in order to have the same
kind of effect. For example, if you intercept an attack too hard, the opponentâs force can have an effect
on your body and make you unsteady. If it is too soft, then you will not be able to deflect/block the
attack. Instead, you will get hit. Therefore, the first interception has to be performed well in order to
present the other types of energy.
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10. After the interception is the following. By following well the opponentâs force, then you can sense the
condition/magnitude of the opponentâs force This is called âlistening.â
Simultaneously, you use warding off energy (peng-jing) to reduce the opponentâs force. This is the
effect of the âfollowing energy.â If the âfollowing energy does not exist, then you cannot use the
âneutralizing energyâ well.
Subsequently, it is necessary to change the direction of the opponentâs force in a circular path. This is
âneutralizing energy.â The objective of neutralizing is to prevent the opponentâs force from having an
effect on you. If you neutralize the attack too much, then you cannot use the opponentâs force to
âspringâ back against the opponent. If the neutralizing is inadequate, you will oppose the opponentâs
force.
In order to âspringâ back the opponentâs force, you cannot completely neutralize the opponentâs attack.
After the neutralization, use âstopping energyâ to stop the opponentâs force from coming forward and
to cause some of the opponentâs force to go backwards against the opponent. If you can not stop the
opponentâs force well enough, then you will oppose it and start to struggle using brute force as most
people do.
After âstopping,â use a little bit of extra force against the opponent in order to âstring-upâ the
opponentâs bone-joints and make the opponent as a whole coordinated body. If the âstringingâ is not
well-performed, you cannot coordinate the opponentâs body as a complete body, and when you issue
energy, the opponent as a whole body will not be flung/uprooted far away. Instead, you only cause the
opponent to step backwardsârunning backwards.
When performing the âstringing,â let some of the opponentâs force absorb into your leg in order to
prepare for issuing force. This is called âstoring.â If the âstoringâ is not well-performed, then you
cannot utilize the opponentâs force well, the magnitude of the force issued will not be big, and the
opponent will not be uprooted (with both feet off the ground) and sent off "beautifully."
After âstoringâ is âreleasing.â When releasing the force, it has to be accurate in one particular direction,
and also the issuing energy must travel in a spiralling path in order to up-root the opponent with two
feet off the ground and send the opponent off far away. If the issuing force travels in a straight,
horizontal path, there will not be an up-rooting effect.
From the above, it is clearly indicated that all those
types of energy have to be present and need to be
performed well. In the above example of
grandmaster Hong, after the opponentâs attack with
his right fist, there werenât any changes by the
opponent. If the opponent is skilful and knows how
to change, then the utilization of energy among
both parties will become more complicated.
I hope my explanation will not create further
confusion. In fact, each type of energy can be
described in an article by itself; and each type of
energy has the following content to be explained:
In what circumstance can one use this type of
energy?
How can one perform this type of energy well?
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11. How can one change when the opponent is changing his force as well?
HKL: Why, in Taijiquan, does one not always initiate the attack, but instead waits for the opponent to
launch the attack?
PW: This is a very good question. In most martial arts (wushu), when two persons spar with each
other, if there is a gap or void in the opponentâs defence, then one has to take this opportunity quickly
and launch the attack. But, in Taijiquan, this is not always the case. The reason is that you
do not know if the gap is actually a loophole in defence or a purposeful feint or bait, or set-up in order
to lure and deceive you.
This is so especially when you encounter an opponent who is a total stranger to you, and you do not
have any idea of his martial skills (gongfu). In Taijiquan, we will not take this kind of risk. In most
cases, we let the opponent initiate the attack and react against the opponentâs movements in such a way
as to gain control through the physical point of contact.
Subsequently, I gain the advantageous position and thereby can subdue the opponent. For example, the
opponent attacks with his fist, I ward-off the attack and divert the incoming force and pull. In this way,
the opponent comes under my control and loses his balance and falls forward.
At that time, the opponent will exert some effort to maintain his balance and neglect the opportunity to
attack. Although the time span whereby the opponent was in the unstable and void situation is very
minute (in terms of split seconds), for the skilled Taijiquan practitioners, it is enough to subdue the
opponent.
Let me tell you another story: Once, a martial artist who was very skilful in using his legs came to see
grandmaster Chen Fake and asked for a contest. Chen could not refuse the offer. So, the martial artist
attacked, using his leg.
Using one hand, Chen intercepted his leg while inserting the other at the opponentâs crotch, made a
lightning explosive movement and flung the martial artist over the wall-fencing. This story was told to
me by master Lei Muni (a student of Chen Fake). Lei was present at this confrontation, and according
to him, the movements or techniques used by grandmaster Chen in this contest were very similar to
âParting the Wild Horseâs Maneâ (Yema Fenzhong). The opponent was sent flying over the wall, but
he wasnât hurt or injured in any way; and he later walked in to see grandmaster Chen.
Let us take this story and think: The leg attack of the martial artist would be very swift and changeable,
and yet grandmaster Chen could still make a lightning movement and fling him over the wall. I think
when Chen intercepted the attack, it was not as most people would do, i.e., only blocking the attack.
Instead, Chen followed and lured the attack, upsetting the opponentâs balance while maintaining his
own balance and made the opponent unchangeable. This is another of the controlling skills in
Taijiquan.
If your martial skills (gongfu) are good, then you donât need to control and make the opponent
unmovable. Instead, use the controlling skills and make the opponent âstunnedâ and then send him
flying off.
Conversely, if your gongfu is not up to standard, then you have to control and make the opponent
unmovableâ the crude method. Thus, the controlling skills of Taijiquan should be made an objective
for serious Taijiquan practitioners. However, to apply this skill in actual combat is another matter.
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12. Furthermore, if one acquires the controlling skills of Taijiquan, then one can put into effect the
capability of âsubduing the fast with the slow." (Note: This is the reason why most great masters of
Taijiquan can overcome many challenges despite of their age.)
Conversely, if one does not have the controlling skills, then the speed one possesses will play a major
role in winning the contest.
There are many people who practice Taijiquan for many years and yet still cannot understand the
following and controlling skills. In terms of their combat applications, they are no different from most
martial arts. The characteristics of Taijiquan martial skills are not there to be seenâthere are no fol-
lowing and controlling skills, but only blocking and striking.
In summary, to be able to âsubdue the heavy with the lightâ or âuse minimum amount of force to topple
the brute forceâ requires the neutralizing capability; and to be able to âsubdue the fast with the slowâ
requires the controlling capability.
There is still a lot more to say if we explore these two characteristics in a more detailed manner. Maybe
in the future, when I write a book, I will explain these two characteristics in finer detail.
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