Gentle art’s ancient skills

By Tania Martin
EMERALD tai chi master, Gillian Talbot is again offering a range of classes for beginners this year.
Her school, the Golden Lion Academy Emerald Upwey is the ideal place to get a taste of the ancient art.
Tai chi is a gentle non-impact way of strengthen and conditioning tendons and ligaments of the ankles, hips, knees and spine.
This gentle exercise can increase a persons’ range of movement while reducing the risk of injury.
It is often referred to as an exercise that focuses the mind while conditioning the body.
Gillian first started tai chi after joining the Golden Lion Academy in 1994.
At the time she was looking for something to help with a knee injury.
Gillian had a knee reconstruction after a car accident when she was just 20 which had led to a case of chronic arthritis.
She was told by doctors that she would never play sport again.
But, Gillian said tai chi had made a major difference to her life and she hasn’t looked back since.
Now a master in the art, Gillian has been training with Singung Charles Tsui-Po for the past 14 years.
After receiving her Australian Sports Commission accreditation in 1998, Gillian opened satellite schools of the Golden Lion Academy in Emerald and Upwey.
This award winning tai chi master has been teaching full time for more than six years at centres across Melbourne.
She currently teaches the art of tai chi at community houses in Ferntree Gully, Seville, The Basin, Blackburn North, and Bayswater.
In July last year, Gillian also gained her second degree black belt in tai chi.
Just a year after becoming accredited, Gillian competed in her first national competition in 1999.
Since she has won three gold medals, a silver and recently brought home two bronze medals from China.
Gillian was part of a 33-strong Australian team to compete in the 3rd World Traditional Wushu Championships in China last October.
She said it was amazing to be able to compete at an international level.
Gillian now has classes for beginners on Tuesday nights at the Upwey Community Hall, 1443 Burwood Highway from 6pm to 7pm, on Wednesdays at Emerald Community Hall, Main Street from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and on Fridays at the Ferntree Gully Community Art Centre, 1010 Burwood Highway from 2pm to 3pm.
To find out more about the Golden Lion Academy call Gillian on 5968 2746 or 0428 887 899.