AboutKen Gullette Expertise I am a senior level (black sash) instructor in the American Tao System of
Internal Arts. We study and practice the internal arts of Chen Tai Chi, Hsing-I Chuan, and Baguazhang. I also study and teach Chi Kung (Qigong) and Chin-Na.
I began studying martial arts in 1973. I was 20 years old, a college student, and was inspired by Bruce Lee and the Kung-Fu TV show. My first teacher was Grandmaster Sin The in Lexington, Kentucky. I studied Shaolin with him.
During the 1970's I also studied Taekwondo with Master Randy Chambliss. In the early 80's, I studied Tien Shan Pai Kung-Fu (wushu) with Karen Vaughn in Cincinnati.
I met Sifu Phillip Starr in 1987 when I moved to Omaha, and earned a black sash in his Yiliquan system. He taught me the basics of Hsing-I, Tai Chi and Bagua.
In 1998, I began studying Chen Tai Chi with Jim and Angela Criscimagna. They are indoor disciples of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. I've also learned from Grandmaster Chen and his brother, Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing, the head of tai chi training in the Chen village, Henan Province. Their ancestor, Chen Wangting, created tai chi about 350 years ago. I have also learned from Mike Sigman and other very good instructors.
I have a website, www.internalfightingarts.com, where I teach all three internal arts online to students around the world. The site is very video intense.
Eastern philosophy, especially Zen and Taoism, are very important to me. I am
developing a means of explaining these philosophies to Americans in plain English so they can apply them to daily life in the 21st Century USA. I call it American Tao. I am 55 years old and enjoy competing in tournaments, often sparring young black belts (and even winning occasionally). I can answer questions about the internal arts, chi kung, tournament competition, philosophy, and keeping fit after the age of 40 or 50.
Experience I've taught tai chi for 11 years and studied much longer. I've learned from some of the world's best. My DVDs are praised by martial artists around the world.
I teach online through my new online school at www.internalfightingarts.com.
I have competed in many tournaments. I won two national titles at the 1990 AAU Kung Fu Nationals.
Question is there any form of breathing techniques or stretches to start the day? i have no idea how to get into tai chi. i once bought a book but it is confusing.
Answer Hi Gabriel,
It's impossible to study tai chi through books. I guess you found that out. You need a good teacher to guide you. There are many chi kung videos that could be very good for starting the day. I have a good basic chi kung DVD for sale on my website, at www.kungfuQC.com. There are others that would be good, too, and you could find them on amazon.com or ebay.
Breathing techniques really aren't the answer. Chi Kung involves relaxing the mind and body, putting some of your concentration on your dan t'ien, and trying to detach from worries about work or outside influences.
By relaxing the mind and body, you ease stress and tension. Breathing naturally is fine. The eventual goal is to be able to react to stress or a stressful tension by relaxing the mind and body. When you can learn to do that (and it takes practice), your health will improve because stress is a killer, and when you begin to control stress, your body becomes a healing machine.
