Pushing hands is a formal way of exploring some of the application principles of t'ai chi. There are several categories of techniques such as single pushing hands, two hands pushing, either with fixed step or moving step, and there are also less structured techniques of free pushing.
Without pushing hands experience it is very difficult to learn how to get any dynamic movement internally within the body. Even if your motivation for practising t'ai chi is for health, or spiritual and emotional well being, you will need to acquire some experience of pushing hands.
The first principle of pushing hands is not to oppose your opponent's force with an opposing force. It could be said that you do not begin t'ai chi until you give up using force.
It is then important to understand the levels of contact that are used in relation to an opponent's force. The first is 'touch' which is the simple basic physical contact. The degree of physical weight given to this initial touch must not be too heavy nor too light. As sensitivity improves so the lightness of touch need to interpret an opponent's force will decrease. At the beginning it is better to have slightly too much weight than too little although if your contact is too heavy you will not be able to respond appropriately. Only experience will teach you.
The second level of contact is 'sticking.' This is 'touch' which is maintained without losing contact. In other words, when your partner moves, you follow.
The third level is 'joining' and this is the most difficult to apply. When 'joining' you can keep contact with your partner's force and interpret their intention. There is neither resistance to the force, nor, leaving the force or becoming too light. The contact is accurate and measured; it balances your partners force exactly. 'Joining' is only possible after being open enough to allow the experience of your partner in. The 'joining' takes place in progressive steps over a period of time. Firstly with the physical sensation, then with your partner's force, then at a more subtle level with your partner's intention. Paying attention and listening is developed to such a high degree that you can detect your partner's presence of mind and aspects of their intended action.
After achieving this level of contact, as your partner tries to apply a force towards you, you do not allow them to 'stick' to you but lead their force away using a turn of the whole of the body in a coordinated way. Practising pushing hands over a long period of time will enable this ability to be developed. The method relies upon a philosophical idea that 'in order to lead away, first you must follow.'
To be able to neutralise your partner's force there are some physical techniques to master as well as having the right idea, and the skill which develops with practice.
All forces have an origin, increase in strength, reach a peak of power, and then gradually dissipate and go into decline.
At the beginning of skill the t'ai chi player does not oppose force with force but joins with the force as early as possible, empties the power of the force, and, at the same time, whilst following the initial direction of the force, leads the force away. In the final phase the force is both neutralised and has been turned away. It is said in the 'I Ching' that if you wish to lead, first you must follow.
To be successful one must have the right attitude from the very beginning.
This will produce tension in the mind and you will lose objectivity and will not be able to relax. This may sound like a contradiction to the more fundamental aim to be successful but it is not. One wishes to be successful as a measure of one's development and understanding but not because one fears failure. This is an opportunity to contemplate the subtle tensions that creep into the body/mind when labelling experience as 'successful' or 'unsuccessful.' True success is pointing to a state which is not troubled with either success or failure. 'Success' can be equally troublesome and leads to feelings of pride and complacency and further progress stops.
To combat this problem you should actively want your opponent to push you, you should encourage the opponent to push you!
Some people make the mistake of interpreting the principle of not using force against force, and the related principle of yielding, as both being passive. However, both yielding and not opposing force are active principles. You must encourage your partner to push you because you understand that when you empty and lead their force away they lose their equilibrium and will move to a difficult position. At the same time you will achieve a superior position and be able to attack at will.
The whole point of yielding is to gain a superior position and therefore, it is very active.
Ward off is not just a posture from the form it also relates to a state of readiness which is expressed in the whole body. It is like the neutral gear of a car. It is the transitional state from which other forces come into being.
First it is necessary to mobilise the ch'i.