Things You'll Need:
- Sparring partner
- Tai chi instructor
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Step 1
Face your sparring partner in a bow stance when you practice the tui shou form in tai chi. Place your outside hand on the elbow of your opponent, and your inside hand on his wrist. Your opponent should mirror this grip.
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Step 2
Have your tai chi instructor referee the match, and signal when the push-hands form begins. The instructor should watch each push to make sure that sudden pushes or shoves are not used to upset the balance of an opponent.
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Step 3
Gently apply pressure to your opponent's body, using the balance principles you have learned in solo forms of tai chi. Pay special attention to your hand forms, eye contact and breathing techniques as your practice tui shou. Remember to breathe in as your opponent applies force to your body, and to exhale when you return that energy.
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Step 4
Try to win the contest with minimal effort. Learn how to overpower an opposing force by giving energy and adapting to the energy that you receive. That's why tai chi is called a soft martial art, since it attempts to defeat hard and fast forces through careful exploitation and the transfer of energy.
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Step 5
Learn the basic moves of tui shou when you practice the push-hands form of tai chi. These moves include the single palm push-hands (where your palm faces upward and pushes your opponent), the double fist push-hands (with your palms facing inward or up), the double palm push-hands (where you roll back and push forward with both arms) and the freestyle push hands (where you use all of your body to throw your opponent off balance).
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Step 6
Keep your body completely relaxed when you practice the push-hands form. Any tension or stiffness in your body can be used as leverage by your opponent to throw you off balance.
