There is a famous book called " There are no Secrets" in Tai Chi, and that is true if you are in on it. Most people when you ask them what is Tai Chi they will say that is people moving slowly in a park, this is one half of Tai Chi, the yin portion. The other half that most people do not see is the more yang half is the exercise called Push Hands. This exercise is one of the best exercises developed by man IMO. Their are different levels of participation, for example for health, fun, sport and self defense. Some people like to build different machines to exercise with, its been said that the famous Tai Chi master Yang Lu Chan said something like there is no replacing a live partner. Generally someone pushes on you and you must keep your balance and vice versa. There are many examples on youtube.
It can be helpful in overcoming the fear of touching other people and since it is exciting is a great way to exercise because you don't realize you are doing so. The pushing on the other person can also have a stretching and massage effect on the body. What do you think?
Great post jbarry! I only recently found out about push hands, and was immediately excited by it. It's a fantastic looking way of 'exercising'. I just wish there was somewhere near me where I could learn tai chi (and do push hands)... but I'm out in the sticks 🙂 I think what I find interesting is that it's so rhythmic, it's even relaxing just to watch it!