Push Hands (Sensing Hands)

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Paul Ramos and George Harris pushing in Shanghai, China

Paul Ramos and George Harris pushing in Shanghai, China

Sifu Paul Ramos and National Push Hands Champion Daniel Nightingale

Chen Wei Ming, student of Yang Chen Fu, practicing Push Hands with a student

Chen Wei Ming, student of Yang Chen Fu, practicing Push Hands with a student

Push Hands — also known as Pushing Hands or Sensing Hands — is a partner training method that bridges the gap between solo forms practice and real-world self-defense applications. This sophisticated art applies the traditional Tai Chi principle of "softness overcoming hardness" through interactive training with a partner.

Fundamental Principles

Core Concept

We train to deflect or interrupt an opponent's attack, then redirect that force to disrupt their connection to the earth. Once we destabilize an opponent's center, it becomes simple to add minimal energy and follow through, sending them in various directions.

Essential Skills Development

Push Hands cultivates:

  • Detached focus while remaining alert

  • Yielding and gentle guidance of incoming force

  • "Listening" abilities to sense opponent's intention

  • Structural awareness to exploit any weakness

  • Sensitivity training for tactile feedback

Range of Application

This subtle art excels at short-range and mid-range defensive and offensive techniques and can accelerate the effectiveness of any martial art system.

Training Methodology

Holistic Sensitivity

The sensitivity developed through Push Hands enables practitioners to interpret and subtly redirect an opponent's energy, neutralizing attacking force through proper technique rather than brute strength.

True Skill Development

While many schools teach Push Hands as simply "the art of pushing," we approach it as the art of manipulating force and intention without sacrificing our own center or balance.

Student Assessment Training

Our Push Hands instruction teaches students to sense:

  • Angle and amount of force being applied

  • Speed and timing of incoming attacks

  • Commitment level of the opponent's technique

  • Structural weaknesses to exploit

Progressive Curriculum

Foundation Level

Beginning students start with essential skills:

  • Root training for stability and grounding

  • Stationary movement training for basic techniques

  • Tactile sensitivity development through partner exercises

  • Core skills: listening, following, neutralizing, sticking, and returning

Advanced Development

Experienced practitioners progress to sophisticated skills:

  • Filling with Qi for internal power

  • Misdirection techniques for strategic advantage

  • Becoming the principles through embodied understanding

  • Merging with opponent for ultimate control

  • Losing the self for egoless response

Universal Application

These skills integrate easily into any martial arts style and work equally well with hard or soft systems.

Counterintuitive Excellence

Why Push Hands Works

The techniques appear counterintuitive initially, which is precisely why they're so effective. When receiving sudden force, normal fight-or-flight impulses cause tension. Push Hands training develops relaxation during action.

Strategic Deception

We allow opponents to feel control — right up to the moment we take control away. By the time they notice something has changed, it's already too late to respond effectively.

Unique Training Benefits

This method develops tactile and energetic sensitivity rarely seen in martial arts except at the highest levels. It's also excellent for newer students to develop martial skills in a manner that is:

  • Less aggressive initially than other training methods

  • More cerebral and intuitive than force-based approaches

  • Safer for learning while building real skills

Training Options

Group Classes

Learn Push Hands fundamentals in a supportive group environment with training partners of various skill levels.

Private Instruction

Receive personalized training tailored to your specific needs and learning pace.

Community Open Training

For over 30 years, we have hosted our Free Community Open Push Hands Workout— a weekly gathering currently held at our Hyattsville, MD location.

Open to everyone:

  • Beginners welcome

  • All styles and experience levels

  • Relaxed, sharing atmosphere

  • Focus on skill development and community

We simply share our Push Hands knowledge and success with anyone who has genuine interest and a relaxed, giving attitude.

Proven Success

Competition Excellence

Paul Ramos has used this training approach to develop students who have earned several dozen Push Hands Regional and National Championship titles over the last three decades.

Contact Information

Ready to experience Push Hands?