Evening Push Hands Sessions
It was noticeable that the evening free pushing sessions last year were not as well attended as usual. Whether this was because there were quite a few newcomers I don’t know.
The term “push hands” may have put some of you off trying it, making it sound like a competition. While it can be, that is not what it is about at Tai Chi Caledonia. Some people have suggested that it would be better named “sensing hands”, the idea being to sense your partner’s intention and respond using taiji principles. It is a good way of testing your understanding of these principles in a practical situation and your ability to apply them. It is an iterative process: the more often you practise the more your understanding and ability grow.
My first experience of push hands (tui shou) was at Tai Chi Caledonia in 1999 and I found everyone helpful and understanding towards someone who didn’t really know what he was doing. This made it a great introduction and I have observed the same attitude in the years since
Another noticeable change last year was the lack of women participating, perhaps thinking that they had no chance against “all these experienced big guys”. We always have an introductory half hour for the inexperienced at the start of each session where one of the teachers will explain the basics and aims of tui shou. This year, in an effort to dispel this myth, we will have a separate introduction just for women. This will be led each evening by Judith van Drooge while the introduction for men will be led by a different teacher each night.
After this you are encouraged to join the general pushing population. Make it clear you are a beginner and if you don’t understand or dislike something, communicate with your partner. They will understand.