Training Tips
Greetings. I have been writing and sending these out since 2015, and for you who have just joined us, welcome to the Gilman Studio Training Tips. These Tips are a result of my desire to share my life’s study and teaching in the area of Internal Arts and human potential.
I have taught Tai Chi and Qigong since 1973 and shared with thousands of people, and yet feel limited, as I live in a small community in the northwest corner of Washington State. I wanted to reach a larger audience on a regular basis. Thus, the Training Tips was born.
Most books on Tai Chi are written by an instructor to share his or her form. They are meant to teach the movements. They also, usually include short chapters on history and philosophy, but that is usually limited. I have written two Tai Chi books and now these Training Tips, not as “how to” books, but as “why to” books. Most people who are attracted to Tai Chi seek relaxation, focus, balance, health improvement, and a very few, martial skills. What most people need to carry on with their studies is motivation. That is what these Tips are all about. I want to encourage students to continue to practice, and continue looking deeper into this marvelous art form, and that only comes from regular and continuous practice.
I hope you read through all of these and maybe one or more will stimulate you to stay with your initial interest and enthusiasm. You can bookmark the ones you like to go back to in the future. As you grow and change, the meaning of these Tips will change, and hopefully you will find you understand them in your body, mind and spirit. If you aren’t already receiving these in your mailbox, subscribe and it will come as regular as clockwork on Monday mornings. The Gilman Studio never shares your information.
I sincerely hope you enjoy these and share them with your friends. You will make me happy. Thank you for your interest in our beloved art.
Words, Pictures, Video – 8/28/17
Words, pictures, and video There are three ways to teach Tai Chi and Chi Kung (Qigong) from a distance – words, pictures, and video. What I am trying to do with these weekly training tips is to use words to share with you my experience with Tai Chi so that you might...
read moreUnique Hands of Tai Chi – 8/21/17
Unique Hands of Tai Chi Chuan I was checking on the progress of the redo of my web site, and went to the Featured Articles section. I haven't looked at this or the other articles for a while, and was impressed with how detailed and clear the article on Unique Hands of...
read moreMore on Mindful Bouncing – 8/14/17
More on Mindful Bouncing As I said last week, bouncing in Tai Chi practice can be helpful for many reasons. I got some good questions from email readers, so I will try to clarify this some more. When I refer to mindful bouncing I am focusing on the lower body – the...
read moreMindful Bouncing – 8/7/17
Friday Practice – Yin and Yang Here in the Northwest, we have been experiencing record heat combined with very hazy conditions due to many forest fires north of us in British Columbia. The early morning practice time makes it comfortable to play Tai Chi, plus we...
read moreWater – 7/31/17
Water Water is the mother of all things, while fire is the father. Water is nourishing and supportive, and represents humility, as water always seeks to move toward the lowest level. Water is powerful in a very feminine way in that it is persistent and adaptable (...
read moreThe Three D’s – 7/24/17
The Three D's Every once and a while, I read a fiction book that contains something unrelated to Tai Chi that helps clarify my thinking on teaching this wonderful art. This week, my wife Dana and I went for a couple of days to a close by, small town called Langley. To...
read moreThoughts on Violence – 7/17/17
Thoughts on Violence I shared this some time ago and feel it is important in today's world. Here we go again. War in the Middle East. Russia, Iran, and North Korea all warn of nuclear war with the U.S. Many in our government say we should strike first or we in the...
read moreEmpty/Full and Stance Progression – 7/10/17
Crows Again and Empty/Full Beautiful morning. Went to Chetzemoka for an early morning practice. Sun up, barely. I was the only person in the park at this time. So lovely. I went over to the bluff and looked at the Straits. The tide was way out. Must be one of the...
read moreSeeds of Greatness – 7/3/17
Seeds of Greatness Thich Nhat Hanh, in his lovely book Peace is Every Step, talks about consciousness existing on two levels: as seeds and as manifestations of those seeds. Let me share this idea with you and how it applies to the Internal Arts. When we are born, we...
read morePerfect Days – 6/28/17
Perfect Days We here in the Pacific Northwest have been experiencing a heat wave – into the 90's in Seattle - while we in Port Townsend are in the mid to lower 70's. Perfect weather to play Tai Chi in the Park. Lots of boats sailing in the waters right in front of us,...
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