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.
Yin and Yang of Life Expectancy – 9/7/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 282 Yin and Yang of Life Expectancy Last year I passed the average age of life expectancy for males in the US – 76. For women, it is 81. Why am I bringing this up? During the summer I spend more time in the garden, and it...
read moreInstructor Shows, Student Grows – 8/31/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 281 Instructor Shows, Student Grows All of the Tai Chi Instructors I know have a common idea – to share what has helped their own lives become healthier and happier. We are thankful to the students who support our ideas and the...
read moreTai Chi Saves the Day – 8/24/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 280 Tai Chi Saves the Day This current pandemic is so difficult for me, and all the people I know, to deal with and stay happy and healthy. I spend a lot more time at home, after morning classes, reading and writing which I do...
read moreYin and Yang Breathing – 8/17/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 279 Yin and Yang, Yang and Yin Week before last, I shared about the Breathing Box. Hopefully, you have played with this qigong exercise enough to feel if it works for you. I have one more element to add at this time which is, to...
read moreRaindrop and Sam – 8/10/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 278 Raindrop When I returned to San Francisco from Afghanistan in 1971, I got a job in one of the first natural food stores in the US – Stanyan Street Natural Foods. My job was to make fresh juice and have it ready before the...
read moreThe Breathing Box – 8/3/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 277 The Breathing Box There is something I'm sure we can all agree upon – breath is life. There are perhaps hundreds, if not thousands, of qigong or breathing exercises connected to our Tai Chi practice. When students asked Master...
read moreTai Chi on Buddha’s Head – 7/27/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 276 Tai Chi on Buddha's Head In 1970, after a couple of years of Tai Chi study, and an interest in Yoga/meditation, I decided to head to India. (As an aside, my flights to London from San Francisco, and back from Amsterdam to San...
read moreHigh to Low/Essential Element – 7/20/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 275 High to Low I have been sharing lately about my thoughts about how energy moves from areas of high concentration to areas of less concentration. When doing the form, we put most of the weight on one leg or the other making it...
read moreEnergy Circuits in the Body – 7/13/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 274 Energy Circuits in the Body All spiritual meditative practices use the same method for achieving the highest levels of unity with the life force – that of moving energy from the gross to the refined, from heavy to light, from...
read moreEssential Elements for the Inner Journey/Question – 7/6/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 273 Essential Elements for the Inner Journey Tai Chi is a blending of the inner thought and the translating of this into physical action. Tai Chi is a meditative movement art. The more the mind is involved, the greater the...
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