Push Hands Group

What is Push Hands?

There are Push Hands groups in other countries, why not have our own?
If you want to improve your skills, some PTN readers are planning to form a new Push Hands group:

- all internal martial artists are welcome
- all internal styles are welcome
- free style pushing is the main activity
- safety of participants is always top priority
- training is cooperative not competitive

Are you interested in joining a push hands group?
For inquiries or to register, please e-mail Tristan at pushhands.manila@gmail.com

Interview with Chris Vogel on the Push Hands Workshop Series I

An Interview with Chris Vogel by Still Mountain Chi Kung Institute

Still Mountain: Is this workshop only for "advanced" tai chi practitioners?

Chris Vogel: No, I wish that I had learned what I would be teaching at the very start when I was learning tai chi. My learning would have been faster and more efficient as I would have avoided developing many bad habits from not knowing the right feel and basic posture and movement qualities. Of course, beginners and advance would learn differently at their different levels. Essentially, every one would increase one's level of learning.

You mean, one can jump up from the proficiency level one is in through this workshop?

YES. BUT REMEMBER THAT YOU DID NOT LEARN A FORM IN ONE DAY. EVEN WHEN YOU KNOW THE OUTSIDE, OR MOVES OF A FORM, YOU STILL WORKED WITH IT EVERY DAY TO MAKE IT MORE AND MORE YOURS. THE SAME TYPE OF THINKING GOES FOR WHAT WILL BE PRESENTED IN THE WORKSHOP. YOU WILL GO AWAY WITH EVERYTHING, BUT LIKE YOUR OTHER TAI CHI LEARNINGS, IT WILL TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO DIGEST THE INFORMATION AND REALLY MAKE IT YOURS. Push hands is really the key to the real understanding of tai chi. Without it, we would be doing something that looks like tai chi, yes it can be very good looking, but it would MOST LIKELY be empty inside. It would be a beautiful dance that looks like tai chi. For many that would be enough, but to really gain the full health benefits and have an insight into tai chi's beautiful philosophy and martial arts application, the indispensable bridge is push hands.

I regularly do standing as part of my practice, what new thing will I learn in your workshop?

I've met many teachers of tai chi who also teach the qigong of Standing. But, when I push with them, I realize they can't use their root, their structure collapses, they are easily unbalanced and they cannot apply the energy they have.

In this workshop, we will not only learn the mechanics, imagery and sensations of standing, but, equally, we will also learn how they relate to push hands practice. Further, we will also learn how push hands relates not only to doing standing, but also to doing the form. It is the intention of this workshop to put direction to the way we practice either standing, form or push hands itself such that we are able to use our root, structure, and energy. This right direction of concept and intention is for us to jump levels in proficiency. This means, after this workshop, every time we apply this learning in our practice, we would be improving on our "internal power", thus will be breaking out to higher level from the rut that we ALL CAN FALL fAll into.

What else can I gain from this workshop?

You will also be given the way to gain the qualities of a good structure – the feeling of springYness and being connected and ROOTED. To gain the quality referred to as "iron wrapped in cotton". One will also learn the idea of having a center line and how to develop the ability to shrink and shift this line.

What other valuable qualities will I learn that I would not learn by myself practicing or reading in the Internet?

Tai chi is essentially a martial art requiring another person to learn with. That is the reason why the ancient masters developED push hands. Thru two persons learning and practicING one is able to put one's abilities "under a microscope". It is an important tool to observe the many subtle and profound aspects of this internal martial art. Push hands actually tests whether you can use the energies developed in our formS practice, standing and silkreeling.

In this workshop we will learn to practice the basic and the essentials in standing, silkreeling and push hands in an experiential level. In the process we will understand some important skills in:

• Contact Intention – How to listen to one's and other's energy. To distinguish the quality of our own and the other's structure.
• Covering Lanes of Attack on You – How to avoid being HIT and ensure exits so that we are not jammed into a "corner'.
• Connection and Chi Ball – How to form a clear connection with your partner and how to send chi in them to listen to their structure and energy "holes".

These are a few of the understandINGS we pick up from pushing hands with a qualified teacher, that we can bring into all our practices – our standing, our form, our lives and our own push hands with others. This is the way to break-out of the plateau MANY OF US HAVE experienceD, and jump out from the level we are in from after many years of practice.

Very few teachers teach this art. I hope people will take this opportunity to learn. This is our "yuan feng" – our luck.

Last question- Is P1,500 not expensive for a 4 hour workshop?

Actually, the average fee for a class of 50 people is around P300/hour. This workshop is limited to only 14 participants to give everyone the chance to personally push hands with the teacher. Considering that and that there is also snacks and handout material. That is very reasonable. Finally, it's real value depends on how much real tai chi is worth to us. Some of us even go to China and spend real big for something one wants.

Real last one - I'm a teacher, wouldn't I lose my face learning?

Most definitely not! All really good teachers, continuously learn. That's what makes them really good. Everyone can learn from everyone, including myself, I learn from EVERYONE I PUSH WITH. IF THEY CAN PUSH ME AROUND, GREAT. I'VE GOT SOMETHING NEW TO WORK ON.

-End-

For Inquiries:

Txt Ed Sevilla 0917591949

Invitation to Series I of Push Hands by Chris Vogel: Standing

Here's an open letter from Mr. Ed Sevilla:

Hi Tai Chi Warriors:

The Introductory Workshop of Tai Chi Push Hands by Chris Vogel at Dasmarinas Village last Sept 23 & 29 was very positively received based on the post workshop survey and its full participation.

Now, the Workshop Series continues for November 11 and 19, both Sundays from 10AM-3PM. As usual, the participants shall be limited to 14 people for each of the workshop dates. First come, first served.

Also, take note of the new venue which is the Wushu Federation of the Philippines Gym at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila. Take note also that this is now being conducted in cooperation of both the Wushu Fed and the work-in-process Tai Chi Union Philippines.

Hope you can make time for this rare opportunity to learn some tai chi concepts that are difficult to obtain even in China, Europe or the USA. This is our luck to have it available for us - our "yuan fen". Wish it would be your own "yuan fen".

Thanks and may the chi be with you,

~ Ed Sevilla
0917 5491949

To download the Push Hands Workshop brochure, please click the link below:

Push_Hands_Worksho...

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Tai Chi Push Hands Workshop with Chris Vogel

Watch the short video I created. Enjoy!

Things I learned from the Tai Chi Push Hands Workshop

Along with 2 other fellows from Iloilo, I too traveled a long way to Manila to attend the Tai Chi Push Hands Workshop with Mr. Chris Vogel. I enjoyed and learned a lot from the workshop.

I made a list of what you need to know during push hands training.

TO BRING:
1. A bottle of agua. To quench your thirst.
2. A towel to wipe the sweat away!
3. Extra shirt

TO WEAR:
1. Loose-fitting dark shirt. Crew-neck is good.
2. Comfy pants. Shorts are okay, but for ladies I think you'll prefer pants.
3. Good pair of sneakers. High heels are definitely out!

TO DO:
1. Listen to the Sifu's instructions carefully first then execute to check if you have understood them fully. If you do it at the same time as the Sifu does, there is a big possibility that you will miss important points.
2. Clear your thoughts. When I say this I mean, do not think about "beating" your opponent. Have the "intention" but lose the ego!
3. Always keep the correct stance/posture.
4. Use your creativity. Don't be scared or hesitant. Sometimes, you don't even need to think... just feel and things will just follow.
5. Learn to trust yourself. The self who feels. Not the self to preoccupied to "beat" the opponent or "resist" the force.
6. It's good to learn to defend but practice aiming at your opponent too... for me this is the most challenging part.
7. Be open. Practice with the same and the opposite sex. Not because your opponent is a girl, it doesn't mean they are weak and your practice will be boring. Also, it is during practice that you will learn push hands... by being open, you won't miss those chances to learn.
8. Take your time and be patient. It is okay to be slow as long as you understand what you are doing. It doesn't matter if you look good. What matters is what's happening inside you... being good at push hands practice is a process. It doesn't happen with a snap of a finger.

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Registration period

Nakikinig ba lahat? Hanapin kung sino ang hindi :)


Dapat may prize ang early comers!

Push hands with Mr. Chris Vogel

Lunch at Kitaro

Lecture and demonstrations


More demonstrations

Practice with a partner.

Class picture! Parang hindi napagod.

Attention! Tai Chi Push Hands Workshop with Chris Vogel

Once in a lifetime ito!

"Push hands is a seldom covered branch of tai chi that is often mystified by its teachers. Push hands is the pinnacle of tai chi, the practice that tests and solidifies all the other tai chi practices.
In this intensive hands-on workshop, we will cover all the major facets of push hands and break them down into digestible modules. Push hands is rarely revealed in this manner, where we will demystify the "internal secrets" of tai chi."

I encourage everyone to attend. Please read the information below (Tai Chi Push Hands Module plus Seminar Features):

Push Hands Worksho...

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4-hour workshop details:
> Sept 23, 2007 (Sun) or Sept 29, 2007 (Sat)
> 10:00am-3:00pm
> Venue: Club Hall, Campanilla St., Dasmarinas Village, Makati City
> Fee: P1,500* (including materials)
*30% Discount for DV Residents
> Reservation Required: P500 down payment (workshop is limited to 14 participants)
> For Inquiries, call:
Ed Sevilla
Mobile: (0917) 5491949
Landline: (02) 8230750
Email: ed.stillmountain@gmail.com

Chris Vogel
Mobile: (0917) 5478900

P.S. Thank you Ed Sevilla for this information :)