Tuishou (推手, « push hands ») is a method of preparing for combat closely linked to taijiquan. It is a practice of pushing and absorbing, usually practiced in continuous contact. Through it we learn listening, adhering, absorbing, pushing, and other elements that are important to taiji practice.
Content of the tuishou workshop
This workshop is inspired by the song « I’ll Make a Man Out of You » from the soundtrack of Dinsey’s Mulan (1998). This song contains really relevant cultural tidbits about traditional Chinese martial arts.
« We must be swift as a coursing river »
We’ll work on developping speed and fluidity, without compromising softness and suppleness. In a similar vein to Bruce Lee’s « be like water, my friend », we will be inspired by the tranquil power of flowing water. We’ll let this idea influence even the structure of our training to gain in speed without event noticing it.
« With all the force of a great typhoon »
The force of a typhoon comes from its rotation, just like the force of a push comes from the body’s rotation. We’ll work on circular movement both internal (like the trajectoy of the hands) and external (like the rotation of the waist that nourishes pushes of defenses).
« With all the strength of a raging fire »
In many neigong (internal qigong) treaties, we can find mention of cultivating one’s internal furnace. Inspired by these practices, we’ll work on developping our energy, and ways to let it serve our movement.
« Mysterious as the dark side of the moon »
After the beginning stages where we learn to feel our own body as well as our opponent’s, as soon as we’ve learned a few pushing and defending techniques, tuishou becomes a strategy game! We’ll learn to hide our center and our intentions, to expose targets to trick opponents, and explore other ideas to use strategy and cunning to come out on top in confrontations.
For those who aren’t so interested in the « preparing for combat » aspect of tuishou, this section will allow you to refine your work on feeling. It will also allow you to develop finesse in body and energy control. This will come through the added difficulty of having a partner that works towards making those things difficult.
Who can take part in this tuihsou workshop?
This workshop is open to any person wishing to work on contact with oneself and others. It is also interesting for people who want to work on their martial power. The instructor will pay special attention to the harmony between participants, whatever their background or goals might be.
International and local workshop
This workshop will include many participants from the local scene, and will therefore be taught bilingually in English and French.
Practical information
The workshop will happen on Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31 according to the following schedule:
- 9h15 – 12h15 : first block
- 12h15 – 13h15 : lunch
- 13h15 – 16h15 : second block
Please note that on Sunday, no shop will be open, so please plan your meal in advance.
The workshop will be in the premises of the Ecole Suisse de Võ Viêtnam, Rue Numa-Droz 163 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
Attendance to the workshop costs:
- 200.- full price,
- 170.- for people with a student card, and people with a retirment pension,
- 140.- for people who have a CarteCulture Caritas or a disability pension (please profide proof), as well as people under 18 years old.
The number of participants is limited to 25 and registration is compulsory.
What to wear and what to bring to the tuishou workshop
For the practice of tuishou, you need to wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move easily. Ideally, wear black or dark trousers and a white or light T-shirt or top. If you can’t, pick something simple. During practice, I will ask you to remove jewellery from your hands and arms (exception possible for a simple wedding ring).
Please bring a sealable bottle to stay hydreated.
I also recommend to bring something to write. Indeed, this tuishou workshop is designed to give you material to work on for the following weeks and months. To take maximal advantage of that, I recommend to take notes to guide your practice.
