|
1. Wu Style's 13 Methods (con't)
4. AN (Push / Pushing at an Angle)
The fourth is known as An. An translated means push. However, for Ma pushing was not only a head on affair. The power of pushing is greatly amplified when the pushing is done on specifically slight or wide angles.  Furthermore, pushing can be more useful when the position of the joint you are pushing is considered, and which way the opponent's joint is trapped or reacts as you penetrate with the push effects how much force or pressure is applied.
5. CAI (Pulling / Grab Beyond the Point of Contact)
The fifth method is known as Cai, or pulling suddenly. Cai appears as a grab but that is a rough general-ization. Ma described the true Ta'i Chi technique as a grab beyond that which you are grabbing. Closer inspection shows it is much like a hooking of the opponent's joint, while the "pulling" hand may form an"Eagle's Beak" or "Claw Hand" or a gentle unassuming grasp.
According to Ma when a forceful grab is applied, the center of gravity is exposed, and the grab may soon be rendered useless. However, the pulling technique is more sensitive and less easily detected when the pulling hand acts similar to a back hoe that reaches beyond before getting a hold of a joint of a limb.
6. LIE (Lifting / Raising a Limb)
The sixth method is Lie or lifting or raising. Ta'i Chi practitioners will recognize "White Stork Flaps It's Wings" or "Jade Girl Works at the Shuttles" as Lie techniques manifesting in form's practice. Wherein one limb or both are raised for upsetting or advancing on the opponent.
|
2. Wu Style's 13 Methods (con't)
7. ZHOU (Elbowing / Elbow Press)
 The seventh is known as Zhou or elbowing. Practitioners who love to be lifted only to drop an elbow square into the lifter appreciate the elbow strike. However for Ma the elbow was a valuable tool for applying gentle pressure to the outside of limbs, joints or ribs. Taking the opponent out of their center and practically out of their shoes.
8. KAU (Shoulder / Back)
The eighth method is known as Kau. In this technique, the shoulders and especially the back are used to issue jing or power. Well into his 90's, Ma could with lightning and sudden speed unleash a strike with his back that sent many a practitioner flying. If you thought Fa-Jing (Explosive power) was reserved for hands, elbows, or legs think again. Explore the other half of your body, and it's usefulness.
9. JIN (Advancing); 10. TUI (Retreating); 11. KU (Look to the Left / Left Side Step); 12. PAN (Look to the Right / Right Side Step); 13. ZHONG DING (Central Equillibrium)
The five final techniques of power include: Jin, Tui, Ku, Pan, and Zhong Ding. They refer to movement or quality of movement, while initiating or reacting to change. Jin refers to advancing steps, and Tui to retreating steps. Ku and Pan refer to side to side stepping or movement with Ku meaning looking to the left, and Pan meaning looking to the right. Zhong Ding refers to central equilibrium. It refers to how connected you are, both to the ground and to the opponent's body or intentions. Zhong Ding often refers to maintaining your stability and root, although your opponent may be losing theirs. Zhong Ding may also take the form of hands sliding on and across the opponent's body continuing to be "connected," as you test, follow, push, pull, lift, or raise the opponent while at the same time maintaining your stability.
|
|
3. Wu Style Single Hand Training Methods
In Wu style Ta'i Chi, their are numerous Push Hands training methods including: 5 Single Hand methods, a Self Practice Method, 13 Double Hands Methods, and 6 Moving Steps Methods.
The first three Single Hands Methods are referred to as: Pushing, Adhesion, and Chopping. These three methods utilize three target training areas or levels known as upward, middle, and lower. This is different than some approaches to single hands methods, that merely go around and around maintaining a constant level. Instead in the Wu style method, the practice starts in the upper region of the body such as the head or throat area, moves to the middle of the body or heart, and moves down to the lower abdomen region.
The last two methods of the Single Hands methods are known as the Internal and External Adhesion methods. In these methods the levels don't change, but they are great techniques for both Warding Off off an opponent's advances or penetrating an opponent's center.
Ma Yueh Liang pushing hands with Gerald Sharp during a public demonstration in a park in Shanghai.
|
4. Wu Style Two Hand Training Methods
The Self Practice Method was a favorite of Grandmaster Ma's, in which you practice the basic shaped techniques referred to as: Peng, Lu, Ji, and An. Moving steps, and change hands operations are practiced in this Self Practice method, so that when combined with another person, the practice of Push Hands with another person is easier and more compatible. However, the best thing about the Self Practice method according to Ma is that you can always practice the methods and movements of Push Hands if no one else happens to be around.
 It also works to relax the shoulders and joints, if you're one of those people who tightens up even the slightest bit when engaging in Push Hands practice with another person.
These 13 Double Hands methods combine the quickness of Wu style's small frame with techniques that sensitively change, maneuver, and penetrate an opponent.
The root or the ability of the feet to remain planted firmly in the ground develops quite rapidly with the practice of these techniques, as the center is quickly violated.
Although the Wu style appears more upright than other styles of Ta'i Chi, the rooting is continually developed more and more as the techniques are learned and applied. Techniques that often attack the outside of the elbows, shoulders, and ribs and move into and envelop the center of the opponent. Techniques that at times come inside and maneuver on very sharp, concise angles of the opponent's center.
|
|
5. Wu Style Moving Step Training Methods
The Moving Steps methods include: The Side Step, The Great Turn Over, The Seven Star Step, The Nine Serial Steps, The Chain Steps, and the Da Lu.
The Side Step is utilized when an opponent steps outside of you to gain leverage on one side of your body. You step with them, and maintain your center facing theirs.
The Great Turn Over is used to prevent an opponent from moving behind you to gain advantage. In this way when the opponent grabs behind you, or attempts to move past you, you step across them, and turn maintaining your face off with them.
The Seven Star Step helps you to maintain your position as the opponent tries to step across or past you on an angle. In this way, you follow their step. All the while maintaining your face off position by crossing over their steps, as if following points on a star.
 The Nine Serial Steps is a series of steps utilized to ward off a series of steps by an opponent. As they attempt to cross over you, and behind you to gain advantage.
The Chain Steps is used to divert an opponent from first crossing over you from inside your center, and seeking to step past you to gain an advantage. Again in this case you follow the opponent, as they attempt to cross over you, and then turn to face them as they step past you.
The Da Lu in Wu style is useful to deal with an opponent who assumes advantage on your side or shoulder and then as they step to your back for advantage, you step into them. Then as the opponent moves to take advantage of your advance, you step opposite and follow them; in order to continue facing them.
|
6. The Ever Important Form
 The Brush Knee, the White Stork Flaps It's Wings, Grasping the Bird's Tail, Strum The Lute, Partition of the Wild Horse's Mane, Parry and Punch, Jade Girl Works at the Shuttles, Needle at the Sea Bottom, Fan Through the Back, and all the "forms" have uses in push hands practice as well as in Self Defense.
It's good to practice with a variety of practitioners and engage in "friendly" Push Hands. Try to remain rooted despite all advances. Invest in losing, and allow yourself to let go. Letting your energy go into the ground through the balls of your feet.
 Avoid trying to "get them" Instead neutralize, and investigate testing (Peng) and following (Lu). Come to know the power in yielding. Yielding to discover the true source or center of the aggressor's power and their center of gravity.
When you yield sink your energy through your Yongquan (Bubbling Well) point located just at the base of the ball of the foot. Let your toes grip the ground. The mistake that is often made when yielding is to sit back and shift the weight back. However, this emphasis lacks Yin and Yang definition so crucial and central to T'ai Chi practice. Instead, as the body "sits back," shift your weight forward and deeper in the "sitting" or substantial leg, and grab the ground. Also continue to move, but move slowly and sensitive to the opponent. Listening to their movement. This listening was referred to as "Ting Jing" by Ma, or Listening Energy.
|
|
7. Ma Yueh Liang
Ma referred to the original name of Ta'i Chi Ch'uan as "Ba Men, Wu Bu," or Eight Doors, Five Steps. In his own writing and drawings he penned for me when I first met and trained with him in 1990 a sketch of the Trigrams of Bagua. In this he said look for this in your opponent both vertically and horizontally.
 "Read vertically from the opponent's heart outward to their throat, their two shoulders, their two arms, each of their hips, and their lower abdomen. This way you will begin to see an opponent's center of gravity and source of power. Then read horizontally the eight doors for the way to go. In this way you can learn about your intentions and other's intentions through the practice of Push Hands," Ma often said to me.
|
8. Push Hands
Two indoor students of Ma Yueh Liang Zhou Zhan Fang and Gerald Sharp pushing hands in Shanghai. Together they have put together a 2 DVD video set presenting the entire collection of Wu style Taichichuan push hands training methods.
Ma Jiang Long, Ma and Wu's eldest son, and his wife with Gerald A. Sharp just after Ma Yueh Liang's death in March, 1998.
|
