”Let
others attack with great force: use four ounces to deflect a thousand
pounds.”
translation from the Taiji Classics
Tui Shou (Push Hands), is the practice of applying the applications, energies and philosophy of the Art of Taijiquan with a partner.
Players
learn to sense, neutralize and emit internal force with the help of
each other. Adhere, deflect, lead, parry and follow are part of the
process in developing skill.
There is much misunderstanding about the Art, many who see it mistake the play as aggressive fighting, and indeed there may be those who practice it that way. However the idea is to sense and follow your partner's energy without resistance in order to deflect the force without losing your balance. It increases your understanding of the Taijiquan form sequence. Taiji push hands promotes dynamic balance in both mind and body and requires total mind-body co-ordination and awareness. It teaches us to move and respond appropriately to all incoming energies from all sources. Whether it be a strike, a verbal attack, a handshake or a kiss. Without judgments or regrets.
If we can learn to perceive these energies for what they truly are, we never have to question. Nor do we make mistakes. We respond to what is just as the tree moves in response to the wind. We learn to accept that just as the days pass to make way for a new day, so must we move on. Instead of fruitlessly trying to control our lives, we can learn to flow with it, around it and through it harmoniously.
Martial applications enable us to be aware of our conditioned reactions to stress, as how we deal with a physical attack is the way we deal with stress in general. Learning new and more effective ways of dealing with stress is the essence of Push Hands practice.
Deep knowledge is to be aware of disturbance before disturbance, to be aware of danger before danger, to be aware of destruction before destruction, to be aware of calamity before calamity. Strong action is training the body without being burdened by the body, exercising the mind without being used by the mind, working in the world without being affected by the world, carrying out tasks without being obstructed by tasks. By deep knowledge of principle, one can change disturbance into order, change danger into safety, change destruction into survival, change calamity into fortune. By strong action in the Way, one can bring the body to the realm of longevity, bring the mind to the sphere of mystery, bring the world to great peace, and bring tasks to great fulfillment.The Book of Balance and Harmony, Zhongho ji
One only has to pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV to know things haven't changed much with regards to violence in our new aged global world. Unfortunately, some of us know first hand only too well what dangers lurk outside and in.
Putting more Police Officers on the streets, more criminals behind bars, or installing surveillance systems hasn't worked for the majority of us as we hear of more and more personal invasions of every type. Since violence has been a part of every society since day one, we need to look deeper for a solution to the problem. To know the solution, one must first understand the problem. To understand the problem, we need to have awareness on all levels, physical, mental and spiritual.
Our Self Defense Classes will focus on all 3 levels. We will explore the Taoist concepts of Yin and Yang as applicable to defense. This is done with physical training based on Chinese martial art principles, combined with mental and Spiritual training methods of meditative awareness.
No one can promise you will become proficient at self defense by attending a few classes based on techniques alone.
Defense
is a life long study of knowing yourself and others.
"Knowing what not to do and when not to do it is just as important as knowing what to do and when."
The Art of War
The paradox of winning without fighting.
Please
see the schedule of classes for upcoming courses, call or email for
more information.
