Customer Reviews

Anthology of T'ai Chi & Qigong: The Prescription for the Future

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After purchasing half a dozen other tai chi instructional videos and DVDs and not being "hooked" by them, I finally discovered this edition -- and I'm truly glad I did! The lessons are sequenced in a logical manner, and Bill's on-screen presence is low-key and approachable, for lack of a better description. I began working with the long form tai chi he teaches and have been adding one new lesson -- or "phrase" -- each week. The results have been delightful: better posture, an overall feeling of improved health and centeredness, and a very noticable improvement in balance. As a dancer, this last aspect has been an added plus, as I have seen it manifested in my social dancing, as well.
Although the instructor's book -- the Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qi Gong -- is not a necessity, it is a very good read and the diagram section that corresponds to the long form taught on the DVD is extremely helpful.
Last thing: I dropped the author a note to ask a question -- and he actually responded! Made a good experience even more enjoyable.
If you do decide to go this route -- be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey. My "playing" time for tai chi has become a lovely sanctuary and a place to learn more about myself through movement. One move at a time.

At the conclusion of a good course in TaiChi QiGong, I decided that I wanted to move ahead and learn a Tai Chi long form. Unable to find a course at a convenient time in my area, I decided, after much initial hesitation, to try learning Tai Chi from Bill's DVD. I began working my way through each lesson (one per week) in late fall and recently completed the last one. Now I follow Bill daily as he works his way through the entire form. It's almost like having one's own personal trainer. I particularly value his instructions on breathing. And if I wish to review any particular step, it's very easy to switch back to that lesson. It's clear that my initial hesitation was unnecessary. As a long time university professor, I am not easily impressed, but I consider Bill to be an excellent teacher. His instructions are very clear, well structured, and easy to follow. I am extremely greatful to you for this extraordinary teaching tool. Well done!

Bill Douglas is an incredibly skilled and compassionate instructor. When I was healthy I tried taking martial arts classes several times and found it very difficult to copy the moves of my instructors. I was the student who was turning left when everyone else was turning right, and not doing it gracefully. 6 months ago I ended up in neck and back braces from a car accident combined with the traditional athletic American "push through the pain" mentality (which does not promote healing). I was progressing very slowly in therapy until I started this T'ai Chi video. Now I'm making rapid progress. T'ai Chi teaches practitioners to patiently listen to their bodies, and the movements slowly stretch and strengthen the tendons and muscles. Bill patiently teaches each move thoroughly and slowly. That, combined with the rewind button, has enabled me to accurately (and gracefully!) copy his movements. My handicap hang-tag is now sitting idle in my desk, and with my rate of progress, my doctor believes I'll be able to hit the trails again by the end of the year.

T'ai Chi isn't just benefitial to everyone, it's fun! And with Bill Douglas, it's easy for anyone. Just do it! Buy this DVD! It's an invaluable gift to yourself.

(Note for people with back problems: If you have an injury you'll probably have to start out doing modified versions of some of the warm-ups and movements, and skip others entirely. When I first started doing my "hip rotation" warm ups any onlookers would have sworn I wasn't moving at all. As Bill says "Always listen to your body. Just do what feels good to ya." )

If you want clear instruction, a knowledgable instructor, and a great product get this DVD! I have about a dozen Tai Chi tapes of various forms and styles most of which I am happy with and would recommend. This one, however, is THE ONE I would get if I could only have one! Goes along nicely with Bill's Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi and Qigong. I would like to respond to the one reviewer who complained about technical problems with the DVD by assuring you that there are none. There are no problems as he discribed them with the video so it must have been his player. And, I can tell you that the Douglass's are honorable people who are responsive to communication. You CAN TRUST these people and their products! I have nothing but positive Kudo's for this DVD! Nicely laid out. Although they give review segments along the way that tie the forms you are learning together (a nice feature most tapes forget); you can easily go to the full demonstration which gives the "breathing pattern" in the movements which puts the Chi into the practice. Or you can skip to it if you want to tie a lesson into the routine before you get to the next review practice. This DVD is real instruction in a real and beautiful Tai Chi form.

I practice outside, so don't use the DVD daily, but sure is nice to review and refine movements or check out the next movement whenever I feel ready to! Have tried other styles on VHS, but this version and the way it is presented, is MUCH easier to pick up, and very relaxing. Still have a way to go, but now I can improve on movements and correct breathing by reviewing even the earlier lessons. Our instructors say, "It took the Chinese 400 years to develop T'ai Chi, so we have plenty of time to get it right." Always thought I'd like to learn T'ai Chi,
THANKS Bill!

Easy. Authentic. Comprehensive. Fun. These words describe my views of Bill Douglas' DVD. During the past eight weeks, I have been practicing T'ai Chi in my living room by learning and following Bill's demonstrations of this ancient chinese martial art. Anybody can do it under his tutelage. I'm 72 and I'm finding its mind-body benefits well worth the price. I wish I had discovered this marvelous art 30 years ago. I recommend it to all ages.

This is by far the best instructional DVD I have ever purchased. Bill gives you complete instructions/demonstrations (from several angles) and gives you the opportunity to incorporate each lesson into the skills you have already learned. The sitting QiGong segment will leave you totally relaxed and ready to tackle our hectic world. The principles described here will change your life - if you let it!
If you've been considering T'ai Chi.......BUY THIS DVD!

There is no such thing as the "one-and-only, correct T'ai Chi" and there is no such thing as an incorrect performance of T'ai Chi. But in a teaching video, there is a need for clarity, consistency, and grace.

On clarity, this DVD gets a 5; its a job well done. On grace of presentation, which requires exceptional muscle control and years of practice, the Author/performer gets a 3. For a performance that rates a 5, see the DVDs by Dr. Lam. However, a "3" is not so bad as the Author still rather young. But for consistency, he gets only a 3, which is not so good since consistency is within his grasp.

T'ai Chi is a martial art and all its movements are fighting forms. Unlike Chi Kung, T'ai Chi is a defensive art that includes a self-protecting response. It is a catalogue of movements to choose from in response to an attack. In several cases, the Author refers to a punch or a kick to an opponent, but he fails to explain why these actions were taken. He fails to explain the martial connection between defense and response consistently. Missing these explanations, the DVD becomes a taxing memorization of a sequence of changing hand, leg and body positions.

By showing the connections between the movements and their martial arts purpose, the Author would add logic to the DVD which would make it easier to learn in a more repeatable manner.

I originally purchased the video series and upgraded to the DVD version. I'm no martial arts expert but I do know what works for me. I encounter a great deal of stress in my job and the books, video and DVD from Bill Douglas have helped. The best part about the DVD is being able to go directly to the practice sessions in the park. The DVD gives me the ability to switch directly to the whole routine to see how a new move fits into context of the entire experience. I am very pleased with the entire product line.

I'm a big fan of Bill Douglas's work. When I began looking into Tai Chi, I first picked up Bill's Book and thought it was great. It explained things in very simple terms and defined the ideas very well. I've been mostly working on my Tai Chi alone do to my crazy schedule & lifestyle and its is difficult at best. As soon as I saw this DVD set I grabbed it right up and it has reinvigorated my playing. Bill has single handily opened the doors of Tai Chi to millions around the globe and we are all in great debt to him. I couldn't be happier with this DVD, or recommend it with more enthusasum.