Push Hands, Ba Fa, and Combat Elements:
Push hands is a link between the forms exercises and the actual martial applications of that
form. It can also be modified to be a competitive event that is often seen in various
tournaments. However this is only a secondary purpose of the exercise.
It is important to remember that tuishou or push hands is a combat TRAINING exercise, not real
combat in itself. Through various drills the students learn the basics of relaxation, structure,
awareness, and listening energy. This also provides a platform to study the Ba Fa or eight
methods. These are peng (ward off), lu (roll back or yield), ji (squeeze), anh (push), cai
(pluck), lieh (split), zhou (elbow), khao (bump). As the training progresses, some aspects of
combat are then introduced and, through the framework of push hands, are practiced in a
relatively controlled environment.
As the practitioner progresses, the push hands exercises then open the doors to actual
sparring, incorporating the four elements of martial arts: ti (kicking), da (striking with the
hands), shuai (grappling, wrestling), and na (joint locking). There are numerous methods of
push hands practice and every individual instructor has their own variation thereof. However
the exercises can be divided into five general types, and these are:
1. Wuan Hua
Single and double hand stationary tui shou. Usually horizontal circles, and relatively simple
choreography.
2. Ding Bu
Double hand, stationary tui shou that flows into vertical circles. This choreography becomes
more complicated than the Wuan Hua.
3. Jin Yi Tui Yi (Huang Bu)
Double hand tui shou that introduces single stepping with forward and backward steps. The
hand choreography is similar to Ding Bu, but the stepping adds a new level of sophistication.
4. Da Lu
Essentially this is Jin Yi Tui Yi with even lower stances. Da Lu is excellent for strengthening the
legs and building martial endurance.
5. Luang Cai Hua
Free stepping tui shou. Here smaller steps are used and the action is more free style and
martial.
form. It can also be modified to be a competitive event that is often seen in various
tournaments. However this is only a secondary purpose of the exercise.
It is important to remember that tuishou or push hands is a combat TRAINING exercise, not real
combat in itself. Through various drills the students learn the basics of relaxation, structure,
awareness, and listening energy. This also provides a platform to study the Ba Fa or eight
methods. These are peng (ward off), lu (roll back or yield), ji (squeeze), anh (push), cai
(pluck), lieh (split), zhou (elbow), khao (bump). As the training progresses, some aspects of
combat are then introduced and, through the framework of push hands, are practiced in a
relatively controlled environment.
As the practitioner progresses, the push hands exercises then open the doors to actual
sparring, incorporating the four elements of martial arts: ti (kicking), da (striking with the
hands), shuai (grappling, wrestling), and na (joint locking). There are numerous methods of
push hands practice and every individual instructor has their own variation thereof. However
the exercises can be divided into five general types, and these are:
1. Wuan Hua
Single and double hand stationary tui shou. Usually horizontal circles, and relatively simple
choreography.
2. Ding Bu
Double hand, stationary tui shou that flows into vertical circles. This choreography becomes
more complicated than the Wuan Hua.
3. Jin Yi Tui Yi (Huang Bu)
Double hand tui shou that introduces single stepping with forward and backward steps. The
hand choreography is similar to Ding Bu, but the stepping adds a new level of sophistication.
4. Da Lu
Essentially this is Jin Yi Tui Yi with even lower stances. Da Lu is excellent for strengthening the
legs and building martial endurance.
5. Luang Cai Hua
Free stepping tui shou. Here smaller steps are used and the action is more free style and
martial.
After Push Hands training there is another level called San Tui. This means free push. For the
most part this is what bridges the gap between forms, push hands, and actual fighting, otherwise
known as San Da.
Ba Fa
Literally translated, this means Eight Methods. These are the eight basic energies that Taijiquan
utilizes in all its practices.
1. Peng
This is often translated as ward off, but the deeper meaning of Peng is to embody the absolute
potential for anything and everything. It is the primordial energy of Taijiquan, which can change
and adapt to any situation. The following seven energies are different variations of Peng as they
apply to specific situations.
2. Lu
Lu means to roll back or yield. This is utilized in neutralizing attacks.
3. Ji
Ji means to squeeze. Here the effort is to both neutralize and advance into the space of the
opponent at the same time.
4. Anh
Anh means to simply push. When done slowly it looks like a push, but when done quickly in
combat speed this becomes a strike.
5. Cai
Cai means to pluck. To either pluck an opponent's limb or to pluck their balance.
6. Lieh
Lieh means to split. Here the splitting is to redirect an opponent's body in two different
directions. The applications can range from splitting an attack or splitting the balance.
7. Zhou
Zhou literally means elbow. This denotes striking with the elbow or martial techniques involved in
middle to close range.
8. Khou
Khou means to bump with the shoulder, chest, back or any other part of the torso. This energy
also involves any martial technique within the close range.
Wu Bu
These are the five directional steps in Taijiquan
1. Advance (Jin)
2. Retreat (Tui)
3. Guard Left or Angular Advance (Zuo Gu)
4. Anticipate Right or Angular Retreat (You Pan)
5. Central Equilibrium (Zhong Ding)
Combat Elements
There are four basic categories of combat in the Chinese Martial Arts. These are Ti (Kicking),
Da (Striking), Shuai (Grappling, Wrestling Throwing), and Na (Seizing). Whole martial systems
have evolved around each of these elements, but Chen Style Taijiquan encompasses all four.
The traditional Chen Style Taijiquan curriculum that is taught at the Blue Dragon Kung Fu School
trains the willing student in each of these elements. Students can train in these elements during
the Push Hands Class and the Applications and Sparring Class.
Ti
Ti means to "Kick." This category contains the techniques of striking your opponent with any part
of the legs or feet.
Da
Da means to "hit." This category involves striking techniques utilizing any part of the arms and
hands.
Shuai
Shuai literally means to "throw to the ground." This category describes the techniques of
grappling, wrestling, or throwing, where the opponents balance is manipulated, often resulting in
a devastating fall.
Na
Also known as Qinna (chin na), the direct translation means "catching and seizing." This
category contains the element of manipulating the opponent's body so as to render them unable
to continue fighting. Within Qinna, there are four sub-categories. These are Zhua Jin, Cuo Gu,
Bi Qi, and Dian Xue. Literally, these translate to Grabbing Soft Tissue, Misplacing Bone,
Sealing Breath, and Sealing Blood, respectively.
most part this is what bridges the gap between forms, push hands, and actual fighting, otherwise
known as San Da.
Ba Fa
Literally translated, this means Eight Methods. These are the eight basic energies that Taijiquan
utilizes in all its practices.
1. Peng
This is often translated as ward off, but the deeper meaning of Peng is to embody the absolute
potential for anything and everything. It is the primordial energy of Taijiquan, which can change
and adapt to any situation. The following seven energies are different variations of Peng as they
apply to specific situations.
2. Lu
Lu means to roll back or yield. This is utilized in neutralizing attacks.
3. Ji
Ji means to squeeze. Here the effort is to both neutralize and advance into the space of the
opponent at the same time.
4. Anh
Anh means to simply push. When done slowly it looks like a push, but when done quickly in
combat speed this becomes a strike.
5. Cai
Cai means to pluck. To either pluck an opponent's limb or to pluck their balance.
6. Lieh
Lieh means to split. Here the splitting is to redirect an opponent's body in two different
directions. The applications can range from splitting an attack or splitting the balance.
7. Zhou
Zhou literally means elbow. This denotes striking with the elbow or martial techniques involved in
middle to close range.
8. Khou
Khou means to bump with the shoulder, chest, back or any other part of the torso. This energy
also involves any martial technique within the close range.
Wu Bu
These are the five directional steps in Taijiquan
1. Advance (Jin)
2. Retreat (Tui)
3. Guard Left or Angular Advance (Zuo Gu)
4. Anticipate Right or Angular Retreat (You Pan)
5. Central Equilibrium (Zhong Ding)
Combat Elements
There are four basic categories of combat in the Chinese Martial Arts. These are Ti (Kicking),
Da (Striking), Shuai (Grappling, Wrestling Throwing), and Na (Seizing). Whole martial systems
have evolved around each of these elements, but Chen Style Taijiquan encompasses all four.
The traditional Chen Style Taijiquan curriculum that is taught at the Blue Dragon Kung Fu School
trains the willing student in each of these elements. Students can train in these elements during
the Push Hands Class and the Applications and Sparring Class.
Ti
Ti means to "Kick." This category contains the techniques of striking your opponent with any part
of the legs or feet.
Da
Da means to "hit." This category involves striking techniques utilizing any part of the arms and
hands.
Shuai
Shuai literally means to "throw to the ground." This category describes the techniques of
grappling, wrestling, or throwing, where the opponents balance is manipulated, often resulting in
a devastating fall.
Na
Also known as Qinna (chin na), the direct translation means "catching and seizing." This
category contains the element of manipulating the opponent's body so as to render them unable
to continue fighting. Within Qinna, there are four sub-categories. These are Zhua Jin, Cuo Gu,
Bi Qi, and Dian Xue. Literally, these translate to Grabbing Soft Tissue, Misplacing Bone,
Sealing Breath, and Sealing Blood, respectively.
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| American Chen Style Taijiquan Practice Location: Crain Park 9051 Triola Ln Houston, TX 77036 bluesiytangco@chenstyletaijiquan.org |