This DVD combines two VHS tapes that were titled Taiji Pushing Hands 1 and Taiji Pushing Hands 2.   I own both of the VHS tapes, having purchased them when they were first released.    As I've mentioned in other reviews, I have always been satisfied after purchasing martial arts DVDs of material that I already had previously purchased in the VHS format.   Besides the advantages of easy access when using a DVD, Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming usually includes a fair amount of new material when he re-releases a product on DVD.

The production quality is excellent as always, and I feel this is one of the few videos available by anyone that actually gives sound instruction in how to learn and practice Taijiquan pushing hands.    I own a number of different pushing hands videos by various teachers.   Unfortunately, they require a high level of skill in order to benefit from the material as the tapes either are not in English or use limited English to teach the concepts.   Many of the tapes available from other teachers do not cover the material as thoroughly as does Dr. Yang.

Taijiquan pushing hands is a critical skill to develop for anyone that is serious in their study of Taijiquan.   It is, I hate to say impossible, but let's face reality, there is no way a person can reach their potential in the application of Taijiquan techniques unless time is spent doing pushing hands with a variety of practitioners.    OK, so you and a couple of buddies toss each other around in kind of free for all haphazard method (or lack of).   That is not pushing hands, and anyone not learning proper methods in pushing hands can only reach a low level of skill.

Learn the techniques and pushing hands routines on this video, practice often with everyone that is willing, and your skill will greatly increase.   As skill increases, it becomes possible to truly "win" in pushing hands while being very conservative with your energy.   Watching someone "win" at pushing hands while overpowering the other person is not as impressive as seeing someone with high skill seemingly control the other person while staying centered, calm and using very efficient techniques.    This kind of skill comes from long hours of practice with live persons and using correct techniques, like the ones taught on this video.   

The video covers the following material, with both courses available on the DVD:

    Course 1

• Structure of Pushing Hands

• Basic Taiji Symbol Sticking Hands

• Solo Single Pushing Hands

• Partner Single Pushing Hands

• Partner Double Pushing Hands

    Course 2

• Basic Yin/Yang Taiji Ball Qigong

• Three Basic Jins

• Moving Taiji Symbol Sticking Hands

• International Stationary Double Pushing Hand Routine

• International Moving Double Pushing Hands Routine

Dr. Yang personally demonstrates the majority of the material.   He then uses students of varying levels of skill to demonstrate the techniques further.    It is always beneficial to the student when they are able to view various levels of skill when learning new movements.   If one only sees correctly done moves, how will a student be able to differentiate between correct moves and moves that violate the principles of Taijiquan.     Just as one must know and understand the yin and the yang when practicing Taijiquan, one must also know and understand what is correct practice and what is not.

Very few teachers have passed onto the general public information concerning how to use the yin yang diagram in their forms and in their applications (push hands).   Jou, Tsung Hwa touched briefly on the subject in his book "The Tao of Taijiquan".   In his book he talks about using the yin yang diagram to practice the various types of kicks found in the form.   Additionally, he shares some thoughts about the hand positions, phases of the moon and using the yin yang diagram.    

Why am I not surprised that Dr. Yang is the first martial artist to release this information on video (to the best of my knowledge).   Dr. Yang and his production staff have certainly set the standard for the way martial arts videos should be produced.

If anyone knows of anyone else who has written in English on the use of the yin yang diagram in push hands and Taijiquan applications, please email me the information at patrick@taijiquan.com and I will post the information.    Please write Taiji or Taijiquan in the subject line (it helps me to locate it in the middle of all the junk mail I get)

Click on the picture below to see a demo video of the film.

Copyright 2007 Patrick H. Dickson • All Rights Reserved