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.
Tai Chi is Like Champagne – 11/16/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 292 Tai Chi is Like Champagne I am writing this after a wonderful morning of practice. We feel so fortunate to live in Port Townsend, a truly benign weather place. We have been meeting in the park, four times a week, and have been...
read moreAlways Peng – 11/9/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 291 Always Peng As we all know, Tai Chi Chuan is based on the Daoist theory of yin and yang. These terms do not describe two different things – just two sides of the same coin. Actions such as gather (yin) and release (yang);...
read morePro and Con – 11/2/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 290 Pro and Con I get many comments about my modification of the traditional Yang Form, some pro and some con. Most cons have to do with the idea that Yang Lu Chan made up the form in a certain way and we should try our best to...
read moreStanding Meditation – 10/26/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 289 Standing Meditation There is no human activity that I can think of that is not improved by sharpening one's mind focus. This is the main goal of meditation. Most meditation techniques involve sitting with legs crossed,...
read moreTai Chi Practice Problem – 10/19/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 288 A Tai Chi Practice Problem This is a question send to me this week. I think it is a problem that many students face. “How should I divide up my time if I want to strengthen the body with warm up exercises, read about tai chi,...
read moreQuestions from Students – 10/5/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 286 Questions from Students After my Tip on Elbow Sinking (Tip #267), I got a question from someone online. He asked: “ * I tried doing the exercise as you suggested, and it doesn't seem to do anything. I don't feel any different....
read moreTai Chi Makes You Smarter – 10/12/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 287 Tai Chi Makes You Smarter Practice the internal arts and you will become smarter. Exercise increases growth hormones in the brain that stimulate the neurons to increase their size, and the number of their connections to...
read moreRandom Tips to Improve the Form – 9/28/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 285 Random Tips to Improve the Form Tai Chi is a martial art based on deep internal principles. The forms most people practice are based on the efficient utilization of the body, to do the most work with the least effort. Here are...
read moreThe Monkey Mind – 9/21/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 284 The Monkey Mind San Francisco was the center of counter-culture in the 1960's and 70's. I was fortunate to live there and to be exposed to so many diverse, alternative (at the time) teachings. Most of us young people were...
read moreYin and Yang of Learning – 9/14/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 283 Yin and Yang of Learning How often have you heard someone say “ Learn from your mistakes”? I'm afraid I have to shoot that question down. Do you think people like Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos spent time looking at all the...
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