Chen-style Taiji Hand Push
Teaching demonstration performed by Chen Zhenlei
Language: Mandarin Chinese
Produced by Sports Audio-visual Publication, Beijing
ISRC CNM239630500

Content: Chen-style Taiji Quan's Hand-push exercise is to develop the sensitivity of your skin and your responsiveness so that you outdo your opponent. It is a good way to develop advanced combat techniques of taking advantage of your opponent's force. This exercise is conducted in the way that two exercisers put their hands against each other, twining and twisting according to Taiji�'s principle of attaching, sticking, following-up, relaxing, agility and rebounding. The movements of grasp, hold, wrestle, kick, crack, stroke, squeeze, press, pick, elbow and strike should also be wisely used.

Push-hand is a composite practicing method in traditional Chinese martial arts. Since ancient times, there had been separate practices of kicking, striking, tumbling, knocking down and catching. The method of tumbling, practiced in isolation from striking, had developed in an independent way. The other four methods, though practiced in a combined way, had each distinct characteristics. The push-hand method created by Chen Wangting consists in two boxers, with hands joined, practicing twining and sticking actions to sharpen the sense of touch of the skin and the sensation within the body. Not only did the method incorporate such combat methods as catching, knocking over and striking, it also improved them. Take catching, Chen Wangting's improved method was not limited to catching the enemy's bone joints to overpower him, but was meant to attack the enemy's vital parts, too. Creation of the push-hand method dispensed with the requirements on ground space, protective gear and special clothes for practicing, making Chen's boxing into a kind of sport that can be pursued by two persons at any place and at any time. Thus, to the combat methods in traditional Chinese martial arts (kicking, striking, tumbling, knocking down and catching) was added a new content - pushing. At present the push-hand in shadow boxing is tending to become an item of combat sports.

A brief biography of Master Chen Zhenglei: Master Chen Zhenglei was born in the original place of Taichi ( Pinyin: Taijiquan) -Chen village, Henan province in May 1949, the 19th direct line successor of Chen-style Taichi, the president of Wenxian County Chen-style Taichi Research Society, the general adviser and head coach of Henan Chen Zhenglei Taichi Culture Co., Ltd, the vice-director of Henan Provincial Wushu Administration Center, Vice-president of Henan Wushu Association, national senior Wushu instructor, committee member of China National Wushu association, and association of State Physical Culture Science, and one of the "Top Ten Martial Arts Masters" of present day China.