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.
Principles of the Tao and Movement of the Skull – 6/19/17
Principles of the Tao That which is strong will always end up losing to the weak, the high gives to the low, the full to the empty. That is the way of the Tao. Water will always seek the lowest level. Hot and cold will seek a common temperature. If you want to be...
read moreInner Journey Applications – 6/12/17
Inner Journey Applications This week, during class, we used Inner Journey elements to help focus our practice with good results. On Wednesday, we used “Find the Circle”, and on Friday, “Bowl of Soup in the Pelvis”. Let me explain. Tai Chi philosophy is based on...
read moreMorning Practice and Form Modification – 6/5/17
Interesting morning practice. It was overcast, a bit cool, but no breeze, so I headed to the wharf for morning practice. I got to the end of the wharf and started to loosen up when it started to pour rain – big, hard drops. So I retreated back to my car and headed to...
read moreMorning Practice with Crows – 5/29/17
Morning Practice with Crows This morning, especially lovely as the days start warming earlier, I went to Chetzemoka Park (Google it for loads of pictures), for practice. I used the gazebo (about a 20 by 20 foot structure), and instead of facing the Straits of Juan de...
read moreAdversity Can Be Positive – 5/22/17
Adversity Can Be Positive At this morning's class, before we started the form practice, I suggested that we all set our intention by deciding ahead of time what one thing to focus on during the Long Form practice. It is easy, in a classroom situation, to either follow...
read moreImagery – 5/15/17
Imagery As readers of my Training Tips know, Intention, (Mind Directed Action), is one of the building blocks of Tai Chi performance, effectiveness, and enjoyment. So setting Intention is of paramount importance. The first and most important way is to understand the...
read moreEnlightenment, Humor, Push Hands – 5/8/17
Enlightenment, Humor, Push Hands Enlightenment is not boring. It is not just a holy, solitaire monk meditating in a cave. I guess it can be, but none of the masters I came to know were anything but human. Wholly human. Ordinary. As Master Subramuniya said to me, “The...
read moreWorld Tai Chi Day – 5/1/17
World Tai Chi Day This last Saturday was World Tai Chi Day. It would been interesting to know how many Tai Chi players got out to celebrate by themselves or in groups. We here in Port Townsend, met at one of our waterfront parks to share our love of our art. Port...
read moreRare Tai Chi Video
https://youtu.be/bD4oBBoZ1uA I am pleased to announce I have posted a very rare video of three generations of Choy Family as they demonstrate their Yang Lineage form. Choy Hak Pang was a student of Yang Chen Fu, grandson of the originator of the Yang Style.He is...
read moreMan, Man, Man – 4/24/17
Man, man, man, is a mantra (a sacred word or phrase used to invoke the divine) often heard when learning Tai Chi and other internal arts. Man means slowly in Chinese. Slowly in this context does not mean slow like a snail. It is more like a tiger charging at full...
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