Welcome to
SK Gatts, PhD, Motor Control & Biomechanics
Personal History

"The problem is not to avoid death, but to avoid evil."...Socrates






Table of Contents:


RESEARCH BIO
I hold a PhD from the University of Oregon in Human Physiology, specializing in Motor Control (the neuroscience of movement) and Biomechanics. I specialized in the use of Classic Tai Chi Principles in rehabilitating balance and movement disfunction. I am interested in how movement can influence cognition. My study was the first to explain how Tai Chi works to improve balance in impaired older adults with surgical interventions to their backs, hips, knees, and arthritis while recovering from a large fast slip while walking.

TAI CHI CHUAN
I began study of Tai Chi Chuan in 1984, and was accepted as a disciple and teaching assistant of Dr. Marshall Ho'o in 1985. I worked continuously with him until his death in October 1993. I am documented in the lineage of Professor Huang Wen Shan and Dr. Ho'o. Huang's primary teachers were Chen Wei Ming and Tung Yin Jit. Chen Wei Ming brought Yang Cheng Fu to Shanghai for his first public Tai Chi classes. Ho'o was given a Western Master Certificate by Tung, and is in the Blackbelt Hall of Fame (1973). He was a key figure in legitimizing acupuncture in California. I studied the meridian system, acupressure, moxibustion, massage and other Chinese arts of health under Dr. Ho'o's direction. Ho'o was trained in acupuncture by the legendary Jew Kim Shek. More details are contained in the link Tai Chi Chuan.

HOLOGRAPHY
I am an early pioneer in holographic imagery, having learned the science working with Lloyd Cross and the School of Holography. I eventually founded two holography shooting studios. Holograms I have made are in the JFK Spaceflight musuem, the Museum of Ho lography collection at MIT, and many private collections around the world. More details are contained in the link Holography.

PHILOSOPHICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY
Manly Palmer Hall, founder of the Philosophical Research Society, was another person I worked with for over four years. As a manuscript editor and layout designer, I worked on over 9 of his books, including his last, MEDITATION SYMBOLS IN EASTERN AND WEST ERN MYSTICISM.

SUBHADRA, the American Bikshu Julius Goldwater
I have the good fortune of being a member of the oldest continually meeting Buddhist sangha in America, 1928-present, lead by Subhadra. I began my studies with him in 1980. His first mentors were Dr. Ernest Hunt and the Chinese Buddhist reformer Tai-Hsu. During WWII he founded the Buddhist Brotherhood of America. Subhadra is top right. Tai-Hsu is bottom right. Dr. Hunt is middle left.



Strawbery Gatts Bio

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I began study of Tai Chi Chuan in 1984, and was accepted as a disciple and teaching assistant of Dr. Marshall Ho'o in 1985. I worked continuously with him until his death in October 1993. I am documented in the lineage of Professor Huang Wen Shan and Dr. Ho'o. In 1990 I gave a solo performance at Shaolin Monastery of Fast Tai Chi during the Southeast Asia Games. Japanese TV broadcast this event to all of Southeast Asia. In 1991 I designed and hosted a 25 day trip to China's spiritual, herbal, and cultural centers (Taishan, Huangshan, Jyouhuashan, Taian, Qufu, Confucius's birthcave-buriel site & Forest, Pyramid Tomb of Shouhow, Yangjou, Nanjing, Hangchow, Suzchow, Wuxi, Beijing, Shanghai, and many connecting sites).

Huang's primary teachers were Chen Wei Ming and Tung Yin Jit. Chen Wei Ming brought Yang Cheng Fu to Shanghai for his first public Tai Chi classes. Ho'o was given a Western Master Certificate by Tung, and is in the Blackbelt Hall of Fame (1973). He was a key figure in legitimizing acupuncture in California. I studied the meridian system, acupressure, moxibustion, massage and other Chinese arts of he alth under Dr. Ho'o's direction. Ho'o was trained in acupuncture by the legendary Jew Kim Shek.

I am an early pioneer in holographic imagery, having learned the science working with Lloyd Cross and the School of Holography. I have been trained in 35mm cinematography and lighting by three of Hollywood's top Directors of Photography: Frank Stanley, Bill Fraker, and Lee Garmes. Their artistry forever added to my knowledge concerning light, shadow, mood, and movement. I used this experience in all my holographic lighting techniques.I eventually founded two holography shooting studios. Holograms I have made are in the JFK Spaceflight musuem, the Museum of Ho lography collection at MIT, and many private collections around the world ( President Jimmy Carter, Mystery Funhouse Orlando, Fla., Dalai Lama, Ruler Saudia Arabia, Arunta Tribal Elders of Australia, Florencioa Yescas Aztec Elder and Deer Dance Maestro, w riter Sterling Silliphant, Theodore Sturgeon, Ray Bradbury, choreographer Bob Fossee, Polarid Labs, Laser Institute of America, California Pacifica Design Awards 1979, etc.)

I first studied Body-Mind Kineseology with Emilie Conrad-Da'Oud, test subject at UCLA in Dr. Valerie Hunt's research program. Simultaneously, I was learning Aztec Dance and history with Florencio Yescas. Jose Greco considered Florencio the greatest Deer D ancer, and sent his son to study with him. Florencio was respected by tribal people in both America and Mexico as a great Maestro of Dance. He served as the advisor to Disney's EPCOT Aztec project.


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