Customer Reviews

The Method - T'ai Chi, Beginner's Level [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I don't believe that I could have found a better instructional video for Tai Chi! Living in a small town in the middle of no where, finding an instructor for Tai Chi was not an option. This video was the perfect solution. Claire first demonstrates the movements that you'll practice first then with the assitance of two of her students you go through those movements again, and in the same method as if you were taking a class. The lessons are broken up in easy to learn segments and at the very end of the video you go through the entire beginner's level again.Her explanations and imagery is easy to understand and to implement. For the price, I don't think you can find a better video for yourself.

If had had to do it all over again I would choose a diferent video to start with. Ms. Hooton gives he fundamentals od Tai Chi, but does not present any warm-up or streching exercises before you begin the form. I have taken some Tai Chi classes so I already know many of the movements, but I still find it the movements hard to follow, even with "reverse view".

For the beginner I would try another video and carefully read the reviews before making a purchase.

I bought this video for my mother and I believe it will be a good tool for her to begin learning Tai Chi. It is not fancy but the price is reasonable and the instruction is coherent. Claire Hooten gives background information on Tai Chi and speaks of the 6 principles (posture, relaxation, etc) at the start. After you watch it once you'll want to fast forward to the 30 minute mark for practicing the movements. She demonstrates the entire short form (first 20 postures) once through then breaks them down in groups of 3 or 4 and gives the instruction twice. The first is just her from the front and the second adds two students who perform with their backs to you for the "EZ learning reverse view". Claire's verbal instructions are excellent - they provide good body cues and a visual imagery. The video ends with a complete run through of the short form in the "reverse view".

When I bought this tape to learn tai chi, I was somewhat familar with the exercise form. Claire does an excellent job of describing each of the moves. You also get the advantage of seeing the front and the back to help you follow along. This is the tape I would recommend to some one who wants to learn tai chi.

To all the negative comments on the VHS version of this DVD I would like to add that the presenter often makes mistakes in the description of what she is doing. At one point asking the student to move the left foot when she actually moves the right. Other times she pauses and corrects herself during the presentation.

The instructions are not complete and are fed piecemeal. This would not be a problem if it was structured but she often leaves critical information till the second time you try a posture (the first time you are supposed to try it is when you are looking directly at her, the second is when they use the 'reverse view' which really should have come first).

Additionally no effort is made to take advantage of the special features of a DVD. There is on way to look at only the reverse view, or the 'directly at her' view. Instead her demonstration of a posture is always shown before the reverse view so you can't practice all the postures in one go when you are learning. There is no chance for you to reset your posture between showings of the two versions, thereby ensuring that you are always behind and feeling like an idiot.

There is an option to look at the whole program in one go but that is only useful to those that already know what they are doing as it has no commentary.

No attempt has been made to provide the student with a structured learning program.

As a 58 year old woman who had taken 6 lessons on Tai Chi, I found this to be an excellent video. The reverse view and initial background discussion was most helpful for posture and mental readiness. Back and shoulder tension are almost immdiately improved!! Thanks, Claire!

After one session with this video I went back to my other one (Tai Chi for Health, the LifeStyle version) and this one has never seen the inside of my VCR again. I found both Hooton's teaching style and her hunched-over posture while demonstrating the moves off-putting and uninspiring. She looks like she has a spinal deformity when she moves through the postures, and I'd rather not learn that particular "style," although it might appeal to others. My recommendation is to check it out of the library or find a friend who has a copy, and try before you buy.

I own about fifty Tai Chi videos and this (along with the second tape) is by far the best. Easier to learn from. A Tai Chi teacher watched me do the form and could not believe I had learned from video tapes. He thought I was an advanced student. Only problem: Not much info on breathing.

Finally, T'ai Chi presented in a form I can follow! Claire Hooton's Reverse teaching method helps me move with the group and she moves through slow enough that I can figure out the different steps and perform them. I've tried other T'ai Chi videos, which were beautiful to watch, but I couldn't perform the steps. I've tried taking a class, but the instructor grew impatient with me because I kept moving to the opposite direction. This video actually helped me to learn T'ai Chi. I still have difficulty doing the steps very fast, but at least I can do them with this video.
Not all T'ai Chi videos work for everyone and no one should judge what methods someone uses to be healthy. For those of us, who move a little slower or need a different approach, I highly recommend this video. Do what works for you!

The other person who wrote a review saw only the negative, but it isn't that bad really. When you go to a studio, they often first show you face to face the moves (you have to do correction) and then the reverse and that is exactly what Claire Hooton is doing. So why complain? I found the DVD quite helpful, it made me feel like I am with the teacher in one room.