Due to plethora scientific studies highlighting Tai Chi chuan’s myriad health benefits, this ancient Chinese regimen becomes a trendy exercise. For those unfamiliar, the slow and deliberate movements of Tai Chi chuan may seem perplexing, yet its healing effects on various ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, chronic pains, Parkinson’s disease, COPD, and more are well-documented. Residing in Long Island, New York, Sifu Bill Donnelly‘s “Inner Secrets” offers a comprehensive portrayal of the art of Tai Chi chuan, elegantly elucidating what it is and why it works.
Many seasoned practitioners of Tai Chi chuan recognize it as a healing as well as martial art and an embodiment of Eastern philosophy. However, even for those with extensive experience, the integration of these diverse qualities within such seemingly easy movements remains perplexing. Inner Secrets explores and explains how intelligently all three elements tightly relate to and enhance each other by design. Bill articulates his fascinating insight well, which will resonate with many experienced practitioners.
Bill Donnelly is an executive of talent management and has 30 years of experience in executive recruitment in the financial service industry which includes career consulting. Outside of his work, his passion for music draws him to become a drummer playing clubs and concerts in the New York metropolitan area with local groups and with established recording artists. He is a 7th generation lineage holder of Choi Li Fut Kung Fu, a famous 200-year-old Chinese martial art also emphasizing the soft energy, and a Yang Style Tai Chi instructor for years. He is always energetic and brilliant with ideas. During the first year of COVID pandemic 2021-2021, I offered free online Tai Chi lessons to the world via live streaming to Facebook, LinkedIn and Youtube. Bill is generous and caring. Despite his tight schedule, he taught many lessons as a guest instructor without compensation to enrich the free program. He was well appreciated for his solid teaching and enduring drilling routines by the global Tai Chi community. I believe his long term practice of Tai Chi chuan and martial arts contributes to his vitality and creativity.
In Inner Secrets, Bill recounts his journey of learning and practicing Tai Chi as well Qigong. Bill is well-read not just in Tai Chi principles, Eastern philosophy, and medical studies, his knowledge in Western philosophy, religion, culture, and business brings forth diverse and profound perspectives toward the art. He provides a basic introduction to the core components of Tai Chi chuan, introduces the timeless wisdom of its philosophical root of Tao De Ching and Yin and Yang, explains why Tai Chi chuan is so slow and yet a good workout, and elucidates Tai Chi’s symmetry and influence on our ability to multi-tasking in daily life, emotional balance, heightened awareness, managing hostile situations, and more.
I read the book a couple of times. The deeper I delved into it, I found myself gaining new insights. My experience of reading the book is similar to many people’s Tai Chi practice. Tai Chi chuan is deeply-rooted in the philosophy of ancient sage Laozi, who valued nature, infused with Chinese medicine of the meridian system, and structured and choreographed with most effective martial art combating techniques. Nevertheless, people do not have to be equipped with any of the knowledge to start learning. A good instructor can skillfully guide students little by little during the process. Of course, reading Bill’s book can prepare you better to receive the knowledge. A friend and fellow Tai Chi instructor Paul Reed (St. Louis, MO) states that Tai Chi chuan is like an onion with many layers. The more you learn it, the more it reveals itself to you. Like peeling an onion, the process can be challenging and brings out tears either due to hard work or joy of discovery the inner secrets of Tai Chi. With good writing skills and full of interesting personal stories, Inner Secrets is relatable and easy to read for non-practitioners or beginners. It is better yet for people with years of experience.
Recently, I had the pleasure to interview Bill, discussing his journey with the art, its parallels with music, the significance of slowness in the practice, and its application in conflict resolution. The accompanying video offers a glimpse into our enriching conversation, providing further illumination on the art of Tai Chi chuan.
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