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.
Lining Up the Energy Centers – 4/20/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 262 Lining Up the Energy Centers Note: I have been sharing these Training Tips since 2015. I am sorry if I sometimes become redundant, but at this moment, this Tip seems important, especially following "The Stool" Tip from two...
read moreRelativity/Respect – 4/20/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 261 Relativity As all Tai Chi players know, our art is based on yin and yang. Seems simple. Yin has certain qualities like inner, condensed, low, dark, yielding, night, feminine, etc. Yang is described as opposite of these –...
read moreDriving the Car – 4/13/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 260 Driving the Car We were in the park on a beautiful Friday morning. Our usual routine is warm ups, arm swinging, Tai Chi walking, then 34, 54, and 108 followed by some weapons forms. Takes about one and a half to two hours to...
read moreQigong #4 – Why Practice Qigong – 4/6/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 259 Qigong #4 – Why Practice Qigong Special Note: Qigong, including Tai Chi, is an excellent exercise for all of us who need to stay home. Especially visualize your Guardian Chi surrounding your body and extending out a foot or...
read moreImagery – The Stool – 3/30/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 258 Imagery - The Stool If you want to reach the highest levels of proficiency and skill in Tai Chi Chuan, imagery provides a clear path to reach your goals. Imagery allows the Yi, or thinking mind, to combine with Hsin or action...
read moreThe Welcoming Prayer – 3/23/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 257 The Welcoming Prayer Art Carpenter, one of our morning class participants, recently passed on. He was the joy of each and every day, singing, telling funny old jokes, and being a rare treasure. His wife Barb shared with us a...
read moreQigong #3 – Effortless Tai Chi Walking – 3/16/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 256 Qigong #3 – Effortless Tai Chi Walking I was at Fort Worden beach today, and decided to go for a walk as the sun was shining and there was no wind. Eagles flying overhead, otters came to shore right by me. Clouds told stories...
read moreQigong #2 – Three Treasures – 3/9/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 255 Chi Kung (Qigong) #2 – Three Treasures As I said last week, the study of qigong is the study of everything, as chi powers the universe and is the universe. If we want to know about chi, we can look at nature and align...
read moreChi Kung (QiGong) #1 – 3/2/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 254 Chi Kung (Qigong) For the next several weeks I will be sharing some thoughts on chi kung – some general, some specific. I hope you enjoy this discussion. I will be focusing on its relationship to Tai Chi Chuan, as the topic of...
read moreInternal Combustion – 2/24/20
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 253 Internal Combustion Much of Tai Chi, like many other esoteric arts, is hidden in mumbo-jumbo, mostly to make it seem too difficult for the average person to comprehend by them self. Much like religion. The individuals who...
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