“Pushing Hands” is a foundational exercise in Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art that focuses on slow, deliberate movements, and cultivating internal energy (qi). In this practice, two individuals engage in a slow, flowing, and coordinated movement, where they make physical contact and apply pressure to each other’s arms or bodies.

The main purpose of pushing hands is to develop sensitivity, balance, and coordination while maintaining relaxation and a centered stance. Practitioners learn to yield to incoming forces and redirect them using circular movements, rather than meeting force with force. It helps in understanding the principles of Tai Chi, including relaxation, balance, grounding, and proper body alignment.

Pushing hands can be practiced in different ways, varying from more gentle, meditative exercises to more martially oriented applications, where the participants try to unbalance or throw each other off balance using Tai Chi principles.

It’s not only a fundamental part of Tai Chi practice but also serves as a method to refine one’s understanding of the art’s applications in self-defense or combat situations. It’s a valuable tool for practitioners to develop their Tai Chi skills beyond the solo forms.