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.
Standing Meditation – Zhan Zhuang – 8/9/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip #329 Standing Meditation – Zhan Zhuang Standing meditation or Zhan Zhuang is an ancient form of Chi Kung that is gaining popularity in China and the rest of the world. This system is simple on the outside, and as deep as the...
read moreChi Kung (Qigong) – 8/2/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 328 Chi Kung (Qigong) Chi Kung is the study of Universal energy's becoming and interacting with the human body. Through this study, we strive to understand how the universe works, to understand our interaction with this universe,...
read moreThe Path / Structural Alignment- 7/26/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip #327 The Path The internal arts have always been a path to enlightenment, a path to the full knowing of ourselves. This path is not without its ups and downs, detours, and obstacles. When we decide to start learning Tai Chi, we keep...
read moreYin and Yang of Travel – 7/19/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 326 Yin/Yang of Travel Summer is upon us and that gets me thinking of travel. And, of course, there is a yin way and a yang way to travel. Let me share some ideas. In 1967, I was a television director in San Francisco, engaged to...
read moreBring Joy – 7/12/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip #325 Bring Joy It is, and has been, my life's philosophy, to make everyone I come into contact with feel better about themselves and others. My marriage was based on the idea of doing whatever I could to make the other person happy...
read moreWave Hands – 7/5/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 324 Wave Hands I recently got an email question and comment from a long time Tai Chi/Qigong instructor who teaches in Argentina. He was interested in my thoughts regarding the yin/yang of the movements. He asked if some moves were...
read moreTai Chi Friends – 6/28/21
Dear Tai Chi Friend, I am sending this to you because I think it is very important. I am not one to easily ask for help, but I think this warrants your consideration. One of our Tai Chi students, Anna Young, has suffered from a rare lung disease since she was a young...
read moreYin/Yang – 6/21/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 323 Yin/Yang Think for a moment about yin and yang. What comes to your mind? Probably something about opposites: this and that, up and down, hot and cold, hard and soft, etc. But really, there is no such thing as yin and...
read moreSink the Elbows – 6/14/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip - #322 Sink the Elbows One of the Tips readers wrote to ask me about the meaning of “Sink the Elbows”. Let me share my take on this “Important Point”. Firstly, for form smoothness and harmony, we need to express yin and yang in our...
read more13 Important Points – 6/7/21
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 321 “13 Important Points” As we get started with our summer in the park “Microscope” examination of the Yang 54 Form, here are some important points to work towards understanding. As the summer progresses, review these points on...
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