Product Details

• Actors: David Carradine
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Goldhill Home Media
• VHS Release Date: November 16, 1999
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304945760
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,049 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

While the title might seem like something more likely to be found on one of Letterman's Top 10 Lists ("Future Careers of Movie Has-Beens" or "Reasons to Wear Pajamas in Public"), David Carradine's Tai Chi Workout for Beginners is nothing if not completely serious. Carradine narrates and helps a certified tai chi instructor lead three students through the Chen style, considered by some to be the original style of tai chi. Against an ever-changing (and distracting) nature video backdrop, the 60-minute tape breaks the exercises into sections: "Opening the Gates" loosens and warms major joints; "Specific Health" movements relieve headaches or soothe joints, for instance; "Stillness" harnesses the mind's powers; "Linkage" shows how to combine the moves; and in "Coil & Flow" you see how it's supposed to look once you know what you're doing. It'll take repeated viewings to master this ancient and complicated martial art- -the number one reason to own this video. --Valerie J. Nelson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

120 of 122 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstnanding, the best Tai Chi video I've seen so far, October 14, 1999

By 

Charles Curtis (Reading, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: David Carradine's Tai Chi Workout for Beginners [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am a therapist who just recently attended a 3-day Tai Chi training sponsored by David Carradine, where all of the trainers on this video tape were present. They all turned out to be highly skilled and credentialed martial artists. After giving us awesome demonstrations of martial arts skills, and showing us how various martial arts were related to the moves on this tape, they then methodically taught us the Tai Chi moves shown on this video. The designer of this video, Arnold Tayam (who also appears on the companion video David Carradine's Chi Kung Beginner's Workout, which I also recommend), is on the tape. Arnold is a wonderful instructor, has a doctorate in Chi Kung/Tai Chi and teaches medical applications of these arts for a living. He has distilled the essence of Chen style Tai Chi down to an easy-to-learn routine that is expertly taught. During our training weekend, he and the other instructors told many wonderful stories of how these Tai Chi moves shown on the tape have healed and prevented many ailments. David Carradine himself taught us how the peaceful philosophy of Taoism ties in with the movements on this tape. During the tape, Carradine narrates while all the martial artists go through the movements. He not only describes the correct movements but also describes the health benefits of each exercise. The tape has five sections, a warmup, repetitive practice of the moves, a section on stillness and meditation, and then two sections that tie the individual movements into a continuous Tai Chi form, first in slow motion, and then at normal speed. This instructional format makes the moves much easier to learn than other Tai Chi videos I have used. I do a lot of computer work, which tends to accumulate tension in my body, especially upper body and shoulders, and I can verify that the movements in this tape completely relax my body in just a few minutes of practice several times a day. As a therapist, I do training seminars frequently, and I consider the teaching technique on this tape to be excellent. I learned Tai Chi from this video, and after six months of working with it every day, studying in a live training with the actual martial artists on this tape was a thrilling experience. This is not just another "celebrity video", this is the real McCoy, a video by credentialed professionals with years of experience. This video has my highest endorsement.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent video on Chen style for beginners of T'ai Chi, July 16, 1998

By 

Terry L. Regel (Mt. Juliet, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Carradine's Tai Chi Workout for Beginners [VHS] (VHS Tape)

T'ai Chi is difficult to learn via video, and I've viewed several, but this one is the only one that has performed the Chen style movements slowly and continuously enough for me to follow. In less than one month, I was able to learn the nine movements well and put them together in a continuous flow for an enjoyable, relaxing workout. For correct form, Arnold E. Tayam's complete demonstration, which appears later in the video, was invaluable. The beauty with which he executes each movement inspired me to strive for correct form. Mr. Tayam's credentials are also impressive. Since it's so difficult finding books and videos on Chen style T'ai Chi, this video is priceless. I wish Carradine (who I always enjoy watching) would consider doing another video incorporating a Chen style short form using the same format. Viewers will also enjoy the beautiful nature photography and music of John Serrie on this video. END

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best!, February 20, 2001

By 

Jessica Goeller (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Carradine's Tai Chi Workout for Beginners [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I checked this video out of the library once when I was having severe muscle stiffness. I'm a mesomorph, and tend to get very musclebound when I train. When I saw it for sale, I had to have it!

The workout is not at all strenuous, but is excellent for joints, flexibility, and muscle tone. I like to use it in combination with Rodney Yee's "Yoga Conditoning for Athletes," on days when I don't train. I also recommend this tape to sedentary people, because the gentle, no-impact moves are excellent for circulation and stress relief --- plus they feel great!

If you're interested in learning classical Tai Chi as a martial art, the best thing to do is find a good (live) instructor. However, if you're looking for gentle exercises to improve flexibility, circulation, and muscle condition, this is one of the best workouts you can get.