Tai Chi partner practice explores and develop a deeper understanding, body-mind qualities and skills in all aspects of practice. My syllabus starts by training foundation principles & body-mind attributes, such as relaxation, mobility, stability, awareness (‘listening’):
Foundation Partnerwork
- Loosening, Yielding & Listening
- Functional Structure & Postures, Shape & ‘Peng’
- Single & Double ‘Push Hands’ – Peng & Lu (Ward Off, Roll Back)
- Opening & Closing – Push, Pull
- Horizontal & Vertical Dynamics
- Rotation & Spiral Dynamics (Parallel & Bow Stance)
- Horizontal, Vertical & Coronal Circles
- Stepping Practices
- 37 Form – Posture Testing & Single Practice
- Mind-Body Connections – Yi, Qi & Internal Practice
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Tai Chi Partnerwork
We then work on Tai Chi partnerwork, known as ‘Tui Shou’ or ‘pushing hands’. This is the study of internal martial arts principles, through co-operative practical exercises / partner forms.
- Single Push Hands
- Double Push Hands
- Peng Lu Ji An (CMC, Yang & Wu variations)
- ‘Smart Hands’ & Connecting Hand Patterns – Splitting, Plucking, Circling Arms
- Cultivating Tai Chi’s 8 Energies & other attributes
- Wu Style Push Hands Variations
- Semi-free and free practice
- Da Lu & Stepping Forms
- Tai Chi Fencing (CMC style)
- Tai Chi & Bagua Applications
Partnerwork can be fascinating and enjoyable, and approached with a spirit of mutual learning.
See also About Tai Chi & Internal Martial Arts section