Underwriter Profile: Full Circle Synergy

Ian Gamble, owner Full Circle Synergy

By DJ "Lars" Lindgren

Ian Gamble is the founder and principle teacher at The Full Circle Synergy School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan (that's pronounced Tie-Chee Sch-wonn) prominently located on Forest Avenue about one mile from WMPG's Portland broadcast studio.

Gamble has been studying T'ai Chi and internal martial arts since 1983. In 1988 while attending school at the Muskie Institute he became an avid WMPG listener. He discovered this eclectic station provided him with a broad range of music. Gamble has some musical musts. His music should have good vocals, a danceable flow and quality self-expression. That could be 90.9 or 104.1 on your FM dial at any time on any day.

After his graduation from the Muskie Institute Gamble wanted to teach T'ai Chi and internal self-healing. He started by providing Yarmouth, Lewiston & Portland with instruction through the local community organizations. This vision blossomed and in 1998 when Gamble remodeled the old Starbird Music and opened the Full Circle Synergy School on Forest Avenue.

Before I talked to Gamble I thought I knew a lot about T'ai Chi. I knew all about Ying and Yang, and that these energies needed to be balanced. I fully understood the principles of "Sometimes you win - Sometimes you lose" , "Some days you eat the bear - Some days the bear eats you". Gamble enlighten me to the fact that this centuries old Chinese Taoist martial art has a lot more going on. T'ai Chi does indeed center itself on the flow of energy, but more importantly the integration of mind and body. A combination of movements or "the Form" along with a controlled meditation cultivates the chi, the internal life force energy.

Through the practice T'ai Chi participants gain improved balance, stress reduction and increased mental clarity. Gamble says " Tai Chi isn't about winning or losing, it's about being successful within one's environment." In addition to the T'ai Chi classes the school also offers classes in Belly Dancing and Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that incorporates dance, music and gymnastics.

Gamble's support of WMPG reflects his passion for community. He underwrites the morning "Java Jive" shows, the "Harp & Bard" WMPG's all Irish music show, "This Way out" a show that supports the freedom of self-expression of the gay and lesbian lifestyles and "You'll Dance to Anything" an eclectic dance beat show. His underwriting commitments are as diverse as the community that we live in. A strong community is about give and take, by supporting community radio Gamble is building community.

To quote Gamble "The strength of the school is directly related the strength of the community". Remember it's not about winning or losing it's about becoming successful.

The Full Circle Synergy School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan is located at 500 Forest Avenue.