Author Archives: ilonabito

Reflections on the VII International Tuishou Competition in Guadalajara

… about the VII International Tuishou Competition in Guadalajara, Spain on 11/16/24, and what made it so special. The most obvious distinction: there is ONLY push hands (tuishou) at the International Tuishou Competition. No tai chi forms or weapons demonstrations, not to mention any other style whether internal or external. This creates an environment whereContinue reading “Reflections on the VII International Tuishou Competition in Guadalajara”

Do This: Holding the Tree, solo and with a partner. 

“Standing alone and unchanging, one can observe every mystery.Present at every moment and ceaselessly continuing, this is the gateway to indescribable marvels.“ –TAO TEH CHING Solo tai chi practice is standing meditation.  In Holding, or Embracing, the Tree, stand in the “wu chi,” position-  translating literally to “without separation,” referring to the moment before distinction,Continue reading “Do This: Holding the Tree, solo and with a partner. “

Women Teachers Honoring Women Teachers: at AWMAI

A reflection on the Hall of Fame Banquet at AWMAI 2024 Conference: Teaching the Teacher in Columbus, Ohio. It was an honor just to be in the room at the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors Hall of Fame Banquet. The dinner punctuated a very full weekend of professional development workshops. The awards ceremony inductingContinue reading “Women Teachers Honoring Women Teachers: at AWMAI”

Earth Month 2024: A Poem

While my monthly writing for Push Hands Now is dedicated to making sense of tai chi, allow me to surrender momentarily to its mystery. World Tai Chi Day, the last Saturday of each April, arrives during Earth Month, twinning Earth Day. In this poem, I contemplate the dynamic phases of each movement, imagining these twoContinue reading “Earth Month 2024: A Poem”

Notes From a Tai Chi Family

“Give Everything Up.” -GGM William CC Chen Parenting is humbling. When there seems to be no more time, attention, or energy left to give, that is when we are asked to give more. Push Hands is like parenting because you are always being tested. Playing, working, or struggling together depends on a secure root. RootednessContinue reading “Notes From a Tai Chi Family”

Root Up to Uproot: Where the push comes to shove in Tui Shou

I wouldn’t know if it is the same in Chinese, but the most common English name of the first movement in our matching set, “push,” seems a bit misleading. In the solo form, a preconceived image of push gives some people the idea of shoving their arms forward, or of leaning their torso into theContinue reading “Root Up to Uproot: Where the push comes to shove in Tui Shou”