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.
Stepping – 1/27/16
Greetings. We continue our examination of stances and stepping. Pay close attention to this. And you might want to check out the video I produced on this subject at YouTube. Paste in this address. https://youtu.be/RPERLR8_6sI Stepping Stepping in any direction has the...
read moreMoving – 1//26/16
Greetings. We have spent a lot of time looking at standing. Now let's examine the proper way to step. It takes a lot of training to move from one place to another using Tai Chi principles. Now here again, there is always room for difference of opinion. I speak from my...
read moreLetting Nature Clean The Body – 1/25/16
Greetings. Thank you for such nice feedback. Don't worry. I'm not getting burned out on this project. I'm just getting going. Letting Nature Clean The Body I was practicing at the park this Saturday, and where we practice, we overlook the Admiralty Inlet to the Puget...
read moreThe Spine, Neck, and Head – 1/24/16
Greetings. We are almost through with our discussion of the art of Standing Posture for meditation and form. What I am sharing pertains to most of the people I work with. You might have special needs, so always take what someone tells you with a grain of salt. Always...
read moreInjuries: Symptoms and Treatment – 1/23/21
Greetings. While we are getting going with these training tips, thought I should share this information I wrote some years ago. Pay attention. Injuries— Symptoms and Treatment The chances for injuries while practicing Tai Chi are very small. If you stay in your body,...
read moreStanding : The Pelvis – 1/22/16
Greetings.We continue our close look at Tai Chi Chuan standing for meditation and form work. For even more detail and some pictures, go to my web site and click on online classes, then Yang Long Form Lessons and go to Chapter 2. Stance info is there. I am also...
read moreKnee Alignment – 1/21/16
Greetings. Today we look at knee alignment. Pay close attention to this, please. Knee Alignment Before we consider the knees, a thought about width of stance, which we examined yesterday. I spend so much time with Tai Chi that I tend to view the world along a yin/yang...
read moreMore on Standing – 1/20/16
Greetings. Somebody asked me today why I am doing this project. Here are some thoughts. First, I love Tai Chi. I have been studying it for almost 50 years and I want to share what I have learned. Second, I want people to get real about what to expect and how to set...
read moreMore on Standing – 1/19/16
Greetings. As I said, I want to focus on Tai Chi Chuan meditation. It starts with standing, but that is not all there is. Meditation is easy to read about, and hard to get going for a regular practice. That is my job, to help you get started and to continue. There are...
read moreBase of Support – 1/18/16
Greetings. I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this. I appreciate those of you who contact me to offer comments. Stay tuned for the next series. Base of Support Tai Chi Chuan uses standing postures for meditation. Standing meditation requires a firm and solid base...
read more