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.
Focus on Legs – 10/17/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 389 Focus on Legs This week in the park, we have been taking a deep look into the rotators of the hips. This is one of, if not the most, important areas of the body for Tai Chi practice – for smooth, even, balanced, effective...
read moreEssential Energies and Time – 10/10/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 388 The Thirteen Essential Energies I received an e-mail from someone following the web lessons. He asked about the Thirteen Essential Energies. I told him I would cover them in the next lesson, so here is a brief discussion on...
read moreExploring Three Dantiens – 10/3/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 387 Great Session - Exploring Three Dantiens Boy, oh, boy! We had such a good session this morning. It was somewhat cloudy, but mild. Good Tai Chi weather. Let me share it with you. One of my old students, (Riggan is her name),...
read moreChallenge – 9/26/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 386 Challenge This week in the park, it felt like the change of seasons. We started out in our usual place, an open field, and it started to drizzle. It has been so dry that it was welcome, but our usual solution to rain is to go...
read moreLaughing and Crying – 9/19/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 386 Laughing and Crying The serious Tai Chi player views life in the terms of yin and yang. He is always seeking to understand how to find balance in life – not too much of this or that. Moderation in all things. Mother...
read moreAllowing Change/New Schedule October – 9/12/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 385 Allowing Change Tai Chi and Chi Kung have been used for a long time to aid an individual in his or her quest for physical, mental, and spiritual growth. We practice and hope for positive results. We feel better after practice...
read moreDumb Waiter – 9/5/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 384 Dumb Waiter and Elevator I was so fortunate to have been born and raised in San Francisco in the 1940's, 50's, and 60's. San Francisco was the home to so many liberal and future looking ideas, not the least of which was Tai...
read moreBowl of Soup Meditation – 8/29/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 383 Bowl of Soup Meditation It has been so glorious – weather wise – here in Port Townsend. The Park is the perfect place to play Tai Chi. This is 42 years we've been coming here. This last Wednesday, we did a moving meditation...
read moreThe Bully – 8/22/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 382 Bully When I was in my first year of high school, my friend from across the street and I would walk to and from school, about two miles. Our route took us through an area we never used to go to before this. We soon discovered,...
read moreWorkshop Lesson/Special Book Offer – 8/15/22
Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 381 Workshop Lesson There was a poster up on the bulletin board at the Food Co-op advertising a free Tai Chi workshop scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. Kan and Li, both long time students, decided it would be worth the effort,...
read more