How can Push Hands be Applied to Fighting?! - internal martial arts

John-Pierre and I (Brett Wagland) are demonstrating two forms of Push Hands that we train in Wu Dao Gong. One is a horizontal method that trains co-ordination and the placement of the hands. As well as developing ward-off power, it teaches you to turn the waist and sit in the rear leg.
The second method is more advanced. You need to have greater flexibility and sensitivity in the wrist and arm. It is sometimes described as two pythons coiling around your opponent’s arm. All of these skills can be developed through the different forms that we train in, such as Chop, Drilling Fist and Crushing Fist.
John-Pierre is also demonstrating Danba from the Army Xingyi that students learn in the early stages of their training. This practice develops the six-harmony co-ordination (shoulders, elbows and hands with hips, knees and feet). In other words, the whole body. Co-ordination is power. Working on simple but effective movements again and again achieves the best results. Danba can be practised slowly like Tai Chi or fast with power.
The Push Hands drills supplement the form training by ensuring you understand balance and your centreline when in contact with another person. You learn to feel where the centre is between you and your opponent. The real skill of Push Hands is in the ability to sense, find and control or disturb your opponent’s balance with minimal force.
John-Pierre and I are also showing some free style use of these practices. However, we are careful not to use full power on contact.
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