Hi, allAudi wrote:From time to time, someone asks whether it is possible to learn or practice push hands without a partner or a teacher. My own feeling is that this is not really possible; however, once you have a certain foundation, doing solo form or other exercises can indeed improve your push hands.
There are many people interested in tuishou(push-hand). I have went back to the OP and have second thoughts. The main concern was may we practice solo push-hand. The answer is of course we can. Otherwise, the term "solo push-hand" would not have been existed. In regard to tuishou, when do we start practicing? Actually, one already has started do solo push-hand at the beginning of doing the solo slow forms. There is no partner required for the solo form. However, every move that one makes is pushing and pulling; even though there is nothing to push nor pull. One can think of it this way. It is the beginning level of pus-hand. The purpose of the solo slow form is to build up the internal body strength but most people do not realize that.
The diligent practice of the solo will build up the jin in the body. Now, one can go into the higher level of tuishou with a partner. At this level, both partners will try to move back in forth by sticking(stay in contact) but not actually pushing or pulling. It just like doing the solo slow form. The different feeling in practicing with a partner is that one can sense the strength issued by one or the other. This is where tingjin(聽勁) comes into the play as opposed to solo. In solo, there is no partner to issue a jin for one to tingjin from. Indeed, this is the principle of Tai Chi and tuishou. To build up the jin in the body is the goal of TJQ; and it is what all TJQ practitioners wanted to accomplish. It is not differ from school to school.
BTW Doing other exercise does not have the same jin build up effect as in TJQ. That is why practice the slow basic form in solo, diligently, is very important for Tai Chi practitioners. I had repeated this many many times. However, people seem to ignore this message. But it is OK, it is their lost, not my gain. My only gain is to learn to improve my communication skills more effectively.
Happy TJQ hunting for the goodness.
CD