Listening Hands: Slow-Motion Push Hands

A calm pair game inspired by tai chi push hands: with the backs of the wrists touching, one pushes very slowly and the other yields and redirects without losing contact. It brings arousal down after fighting and trains listening to your partner.

How to play

1. Contact: partners stand facing each other, right foot forward, backs of the right wrists touching (1 min).
2. Slow circles: one pushes toward the other's chest, who yields by turning the waist and sends the circle back, keeping contact (2 min).
3. Eyes closed: the yielding partner closes their eyes and follows by touch only (2 min).
4. Balance challenge: win by making the other move a foot, but at ultra-slow speed; whoever speeds up loses (2 min).
5. Switch hands and quick chat: how is this like yielding in a bout? (1 min).

Rules

• Very slow speed at all times.
• Wrist and forearm contact only.
• With eyes closed, the partner with eyes open is responsible for safety.
• No shoving: if someone steps, stop and start again.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: both partners sit, with circles at chest height.
• Visual impairment: the drill is touch-based, so it works as is; the partner just announces phase changes.
• Shoulder injury: small circles with the other arm.

Learning goals

• Bring arousal down after effort.
• Feel the partner's force through touch.
• Practice the principle of yielding and redirecting.

Teacher tip

It works well right after randori, on the same mat with the same partner. The usual mistake is turning it into arm wrestling; remind them the winner is the one who listens, not the one who pushes.

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