20. Partners The Whole Body Is The Hand

In this lecture, we’ll start by revisiting a move we’ve already learned, as a
repetition of it is the next step in our progression through our 40-movement
routine. Next up are some brief tips on practicing with a partner. After that,
the activity section at the end of this lecture includes a push hands routine
you can perform with a partner. (See the video lecture for reference on the
original push hands game.)
Dān biān (“Single Whip”) Revisited
● The next movement in our progression is to revisit an earlier move:
dān biān, which in English means “single whip.”
● A refresher: Sit back onto the left foot and pivot to the left, turning
the right toes in 90 degrees to face the front. Turn the waist to the
left, and sweep both arms to the left. The arms rotate slightly so
that both palms face outward as the move with the waist from right
to left.
● Shift back to the right foot and step in to a T-step. As you begin
the weight shift, the waist turns right, and the right hand is carried
across to the right corner where it will make a hook. The left hand
arcs down and then up to finish near the right wrist.
● The right hand holds a hook during this entire move. The left foot
steps out to the side (remember to create a channel) into a bow
step. The waist will naturally turn to the left and the left hand and
arm will sweep across, palm facing in and pressing out with the back of the hand. As the elbow of the left arm aligns over the left
knee, the left palm will turn out.
Tips for Practicing with a Partner
● When practicing with a partner, start out by giving a sign of respect
with a traditional tai chi salute.
● To figure out how far apart to stand, each of you should extend a
fist, and then walk toward each other until the fists are touching.
● Flow applies to partner practice just as it does to solo practice:
Each movement should smoothly continue into the next.
● Keep in mind that in tai chi, a master considers it a deeper victory
to sometimes lose a point to someone else.