here are my two pennies:
regarding push hands, we unfortunately have to distinguish between "real" push hands and "sport" push hands. for me, push hands is not about competition--it's a partner exercise to develop sticking, listening, etc. i think the skills one acquires thru push hand practice can help add to one's self defense skill set, just like sparring can, just like form practice can. having said that, i think that when the object of push hands becomes winning a trophy, or a medal, or something like that, then that changes peoples mindset, and they turn push hands into a wrestling match. my personal feeling is that, like GLW said, push hands is push hands. if i am skilled, i should be able to unbalance my partner, or lead him out of balance, no matter if his approach is soft or hard. when i compete in tournaments, i always try to push the way i was taught (stick, listen, no force vs. force, etc.). i am not always successful, but at the end of the day i am satisfied because i played my own game. i try to get this concept into my students heads.
regarding taiji as a sport, i think we have to live with this. we don't really challenge rival schools in this day and age just to test our skills, so we have to do point sparring, or san shou, or the equivalent at a tournament. this is just the state of martial arts in america today.
i do feel that taiji should be taught as a martial art, and that students should learn applications, and use drills in class. and form work is important, and push hands practice is important. these are the foundation of taiji practice! the health benefits will come with the practice of the art, and if a student doesn't want to emphasize the martial aspect of taiji in their own practice, then they don't really have to. but in a school setting, then the martial aspect of taiji ought to be emphasized before the health aspect.
thanks for reading.
Originally Posted by Lee Chiang Po
You then walk backwards, forcing him off his feet and then drag him by the eye socket and lips. You can pull so hard that the lips tear away. You will never hear such screaming.