推手走化與接勁 Neutralizing and Receiving Energy

 推手走化與接勁

Neutralizing and Receiving Energy

太極推手技藝中的走化技巧，是傳統鬆柔拳法的瑰寶。鄭曼青大師言：「吃虧即時佔便宜」，所謂「吃虧」就是「走化」，不僅可以累積聽勁的功力、伸展筋骨、強化身體的肌耐力等功效，也是培養人生哲學休養功夫的途徑。因為「走化」訓練過程中，無形中培養了真誠、謙讓與捨自的胸懷，讓視野及心胸更加廣闊。

尤其是年輕的習者，更應具備培養各種角度走化的能力，積極練習「走化」技巧，來以化解對手進攻的招式。初學「走化」時，無法精準的判斷對手進攻來勢，「走化」弧度比較大，經過反覆磨練後，聽勁隨之獲得啟發，「走化」的弧度自然隨之縮小，也就開始進入接勁與懂勁的階段。但若一開始就訓練接勁，反而失去修練身心靈的契機。

對初學者而言，接勁與頂抗是很難判斷的，頂抗容易產生強力現象，推手時會造成彼此筋骨的傷害及內傷。民國75年筆者剛入門時，宋師訓練的課程是：舒筋、步法、鬆身、拳架與走化等，必須持續3年的時間，等身體輕靈毫無強力，心靈真誠與謙恭時，才能進入自由推手練習，而接勁應用的時機與技巧，會在自由切磋過程中獲得啟發。

Push Hands Techniques: Neutralizing and Receiving Energy

The neutralizing techniques in Tai Chi push hands are treasures of traditional supple martial arts. As Master Cheng Man-ch’ing stated, "Taking a loss is actually gaining a benefit." This idea of "taking a loss" refers to "neutralizing," which not only helps accumulate sensitivity training, extend the muscles, and strengthen the body's endurance but also serves as a path to cultivate life philosophy and personal development. The process of "neutralizing" inherently nurtures sincerity, humility, and selflessness, broadening one's perspective and mindset.

Young practitioners, in particular, should develop the ability to shift from various angles and actively practice these techniques to neutralize opponents' attacks. Initially, beginners may struggle to accurately judge the direction of an opponent's incoming strike, resulting in larger arcs of neutralizing. However, through repeated practice, sensitivity improves, and the arc of shifting naturally becomes smaller, leading to the stages of receiving and understanding energy. If beginners focus on training to receive energy too early, they risk missing out on opportunities for holistic personal development.

For novices, distinguishing between receiving energy and resisting is challenging. Resistance often leads to a forceful phenomenon, potentially causing injury to both parties during push hands practice. When I first began training in 1986, Master Song's curriculum included stretching, footwork, relaxation, stances, and shifting techniques, which required three years of consistent practice. Only when the body was agile and devoid of force, and the mind was sincere and humble, could one begin free push hands practice. The timing and techniques for receiving energy would then emerge naturally through the process of mutual sparring.