I am fond of recommending the study of “internal” martial arts, especially to those who struggle with challenges in their lives, minds and emotions — which is to say in our bodies.

These include, but are not limited to:

T’ai Chi
Bagua
Hsing I
Qigong

And particularly: Tuishou or Pushing Hands

Tuishou is the natural (and necessary) compliment of T’ai Chi, though a variety of martial arts practice something at least somewhat similar. In t’ai chi, softness is developed, along with the capacity to build, store and emit various aspects of life-energy. This ability is optimally used for health and healing, but also has combat (and philosophical) applications

Though many t’ai chi practitioners do not push hands, tuishou practice has many benefits, not the least of which is the physical instruction on the function of movements of which the t’ai chi forms are composed.

But tuishou is a philosophical practice, for in training the body to receive and redirect rather than meeting force with force, it links the two aspects of our bodies and minds, directly demonstrating how they (must!) form a unity, and support each other.

This directly physical, and eventually »internal education proceeds in a fashion that is easily translated into other domains of our experience: relational, emotional, intellectual, philosophical and romantic — so that the principles we gain physical experience of — are seeded into many other places in our experience and development.

I feel very lucky to have recently met some men who help me learn tuishou; and must admit I have come under its spell, I hope to practice it for the rest of my life.