Transitioning from Sticking to Adhering

Transitioning from Sticking to Adhering 

Relaxation plays a crucial role in transitioning from sticking to adhering in push hands training. Here's how:

Sticking (Zhan):

• Focus: Sticking emphasizes maintaining contact with your partner's hand through light touch and feeling their movements.
• Benefits of Relaxation: When your arms and shoulders are relaxed, you can react more readily to your partner's subtle changes in direction or force.
• Drawbacks of Tension: Tense muscles can make it difficult to maintain a light and sensitive touch. This can lead to a reactive approach, where you respond to your partner's movements rather than anticipating them.

Adhering (Lian):

• Focus: Adhering goes beyond simply sticking. It involves developing a deeper connection with your partner's movements, feeling their intentions and redirecting their force.
• Importance of Relaxation: Relaxation allows you to sink into your stance and connect with the ground. This creates a stable base from which you can leverage your whole body to redirect your partner's force.
• Tension's Hindrance: Tense muscles create rigidity and limit your ability to absorb and redirect incoming force effectively.

How Relaxation Facilitates Adherence:

• Improved Sensitivity: Relaxation allows you to feel your partner's movements through subtle changes in pressure and tension. This heightened sensitivity allows you to anticipate their intentions and react more smoothly.
• Whole Body Connection: Relaxation allows your entire body to connect and function as a unit. This creates a more solid structure for receiving and redirecting force.
• Flow and Control: Relaxation promotes a smooth flow of energy throughout your body. You can then use this flow to control your partner's movements with minimal effort.

Remember: Relaxation doesn't mean being limp. It's about maintaining a state of alertness and readiness while keeping your muscles loose and responsive.

Additional Tips:

• Focus on Your Breath: Coordinating your breath with your movement can further enhance relaxation and improve your connection with your partner.
• Maintain a Rooted Feeling: Sink down through your legs and feel connected to the ground. This will provide stability and power for redirection.
• Practice Makes Perfect: The transition from sticking to adhering takes time and practice. Be patient and focus on developing your sensitivity and whole body connection.