Tai Chi Special Topics

Taiji (Tai Chi) students of various backgrounds and experience may be interested in our other Taiji topics. Topics include: Taiji sword, Taiji saber, Taiji Ball, Taiji Ruler, Pushing Hands, Qigong exercises (including Soft White Crane, Eight Pieces of Brocade, Five Animal Sports), and more.

Pushing Hands (Tuī Shǒu  推手) is a name for two-person training routines practiced in internal Chinese martial arts. Single and Double Pushing Hands are requirements for the first stripe in the Taiji curriculum. Students work with partners to understand the martial aspects of Taiji: listening, reflex, sensitivity, timing, leverage, neutralizing, coordination, and positioning.

Pushing Hands is taught by Paul Blake on Thursdays from 8:00 - 9:15 pm.

This is the class where you learn how to both apply your Taiji applications and explore and refine your body's interpretation of the Taiji principles.

Taiji Ball (Tàijí qiú, 太極球) is one of the methods of training Taiji. Health benefits include: conditioning of the torso, prevention of injury, and rejuvenation of the spine. Taiji Ball is done with soft movements to train the coordination and harmonization of the mind and Qi. Eventually, a practitioner can use the mind to lead Qi to the physical body for power manifestation and energy.

Dr. Yang recommends training with a Taiji ball made of wood (for Qi transmission) or rock (for developing physical strength). Beginners should start with a wood ball about 10 - 12 inches in diameter, weighing 4 - 8 pounds.

Please check back regularly for information on special Taiji workshops held by Andover instructors and guest instructors (including Dr. Yang and Jeff Pratt).