Phase Six: Push-Hands
Push-Hands is an exercise that tests the effectiveness of Taijiquan practice, the depth of Integration and Synchronization, and the refinement of Jin developed in earlier phases. For this reason, Push-Hands is established as a practice stage after Phase Five, when a solid foundation in Synchronization has already been laid.
1. Goal
The goal of Phase Six is to understand the purpose of Push-Hands and to apply Taijiquan’s principles in real physical confrontation. Through this process, practitioners identify blind spots in movement where Jin has not yet been developed, using feedback from interaction to guide further refinement.
2. Focus
Movement
Focus on the timing and sequence of actions taken by each body part, as well as on the transfer of momentum generated by External Power—whether from body gravity or from impact with the Push-Hands partner.
Yi
Focus on the timing of Yi as it responds to changes in External Force and triggers coordinated movement across body parts.
Jin
Focus on examining the expression of Jin during physical exchanges in Push-Hands, and on identifying areas where raw muscular strength still substitutes for Jin.
3. Milestone
It is considered a milestone in Phase Six when the functioning of Integration and Synchronization becomes clear and natural in a few typical physical exchanges. In these exchanges, External Power is harnessed through the two mechanisms—both to neutralize the impact from a Push-Hands partner and to power one’s own movement through the body’s gravity.
Taijiquan Framework 