Join Hands Operation with Active Steps

Huo Pu T'ui Shou

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

First, I will expand on some of the details of the exercise, you should read this as necessary. Then, the fundamental moves will be described. This will be covered during the demonstration. Finally, I will describe one of three techniques of changing the lead.

Wardoff

Push

Position the hand over the elbow so that the funny bone is in the center of the palm. Fingers are like tentacles, gently wrapped over the entire elbow, not too tight and always sticky. The hand over the wrist such that the protruding bone on the outside of the wrist is in the center of the palm. The fingers gently are spread wide from thumb to little finger. You need less strength to control the hand, but more sensitivity as the mind leads the hands . . .

Before you push you must float backward and down like in the form.

Join Hands Operation with Active Steps

Two persons, White and Black, stand opposite each other, and each steps forward with the right foot, Black assumes a relaxed stance with the right arm horizontal in front of the body. White pushes Black's forearm with both hands; simultaneously Black takes a right step backward half a step. When Black is pushed, he lowers his body on his legs to neutralize the push backward, Black moves backward half a step with his right foot. When Whites's pushing force is nearly at an end, he steps forward with his left foot and then steps forward with his right foot. After neutralizing White's push with wardoff, White assumes the press posture, Black moves forward half a step with his right foot and pushes White's right forearm with both hands. White rotates his waist and lowers his body on his legs to neutralize the push backward. Both perform press, wardoff and push repeatedly. Keep the moves distinct. Stop when you feel tired or renegade dow.

The sequence of moves forms a vertical figure eight. The White's push goes uphill, Blacks's wardoff is at the top shoulder high, Black's floats back and down in neutralize. This sequence makes half of the figure eight.

What makes this exercise fun is the speed and floating nature of the moves. It is quite unlike anything any other two person exercise except perhaps the 88.

The transition during push, an outside step

Simultaneously, you step back with your right foot, your lead change step. Your step is long and behind the left foot. Your dantian rotates clockwise as the left arm comes up to the lead from below at a 45-degree angle, you retreat from push to a block. This sequence is complementary to the opponent's moves.

Instantaneously, you and your opponent's left arms make contact. Forming an x, left outside forearm to left outside forearm, you withdraw your right hand and allow the left arm to rotate to horizontal. You place the right fingers on the left forearm and do press. The opponent shifts his hands to elbow and wrist for push. Both of you now have left-handed arm and foot placement; both of you are now at the middle of the figure eight with roles reversed. The advance has been neutralized and neither side gains speed, position or timing. You now return the looping exercise in a left handed form, you retreat and the opponent advances.