Product Details

• Actors: John Bright-Fey
• Directors: Kim Bright-Fey
• Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Rubrica Press
• VHS Release Date: September 15, 2003
• Run Time: 40 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000DC3TN
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,374 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Bill Hecker, age 41

"After 3 months of doing New Forest(tm), my blood pressure improved. My doctor took me off my blood pressure medication!"

From the Actor

Western medical research has proven several of the health benefits of T'ai Chi. The proper practice of this art form lowers blood pressure, improves balance and prevents falling, reduces chronic pain, stimulates the immune system, and builds strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Perhaps the best thing about the New Forest(tm) approach to T'ai Chi is that it is both easy to learn and fun to do. Although it is T'ai Chi designed for contemporary Americans, it maintains the core principles of classical T'ai Chi. Each person can readily find his or her own personal comfort level in New Forest(tm) and progress at a natural rate from there. Unlike some T'ai Chi styles, all aspects of New Forest(tm) adhere to the Safety Guidelines for Exercise.

Lest you think it is only for improving health, you should know that numerous New Forest(tm) practitioners came to it after years of involvement in one or more of the major traditional T'ai Chi styles.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calligraphy in Motion, December 3, 2004

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Forest Tai Chi for Beginners (DVD)

John Bright-Fey is a natural teacher who takes simplicity to new levels of brilliance. When you learn other styles of T'ai Chi, you have to be so concerned about each movement and you can almost feel your inner perfectionist becoming frustrated.

With New Forest T'ai Chi, you are freed from perfectionism and finally you can express your creativity and personalize the flowing sequence of healing motion. To me, learning New Forest T'ai Chi was like learning how to paint imaginary calligraphy with my hands.

Not only is this form of T'ai Chi easy to remember, it heats the body, gives you an excellent workout and calms the nervous system. You also don't have to buy any special equipment. Some of the benefits I noticed almost immediately was more flexibility. The warm-up section was fun and playful and allowed you to move into the sequence of movements with more confidence.

Because of the way you are moving through the exercises you will develop excellent balance. While there are a few special instructions for exercise modifications, this is truly as easy as walking. In fact, you are moving at a slower pace than any exercise you have ever done before so you may consider this to be a very low impact routine.

Grandmaster John Bright-Fey takes you through a series of progressively more challenging exercises. At first you are stepping forwards and back and only drawing numbers with your hands and then he teaches you how to place your feet (heel first/toe first) and how to wave like wind and water. Finally, you put all you have learned into one routine and then you can take this routine anywhere you want to exercise.

I'd like to say this was "one, two, three" T'ai Chi. However, I think it is much more like calligraphy in motion. You paint numbers with your hands and this makes the movements super easy to remember. Highly recommended for all ages. This gets you moving and it is truly a fun routine that you will never forget. The spiritual elements come from your own experience while doing the exercises and your peace of mind will last long after the routine has been completed. I felt happier, as if I had let my creative child out to play.

A book to look for to enhance your workout experience: "A Morning Cup of T'ai Chi" by John A. Bright-Fey. An audio CD is included and each exercise is shown in detailed pictures. John Bright-Fey also covers topics like breathing, traditional Chinese medicine and has even translated four chapters from The Tao Te Ching. After reading the book, your workout will have a new depth of creativity.

~The Rebecca Review

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The New Forest Environment, August 17, 2004

By 

L. Neubauer (Birmingham, Alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Forest Tai Chi for Beginners [VHS] (VHS Tape)

John Bright-Fey has definitely presented a program that is easy to follow, simple to remember, and allows for personal interpretation. His gentle method of instruction pulls the participant into an environment of safe, relaxing fun. Complicated mirror imaging is eliminated by Bright-Fey keeping his back to the camera during each segment. One of the goals of this program, stated in the introduction, is for "players" to be able to practice the discipline without dependance on the video. After one run through you realize the goal is attainable. The reflective statements at the end of the session give positive feedback that inspires you to try it again.

After purchasing several Tai Chi books and DVD's that left me confused and accomplished nothing, this video was a surpise and a delight! I would highly recommend New Forest Tai Chi for Beginners.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Forest T'ai Chi for Everyone, October 19, 2003

By 

Arlene Schild (Birmingham, Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Forest Tai Chi for Beginners [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The New Forest T'ai Chi video for beginners is an excellent way to experience the benefits of a well-designed program of exercise which relieves stress, loosens joints and improves balance.

After taking two (one twelve week and one eight week) sessions with John and Kim Bright-Fey, I realized the video would encourage me to continue an exercise regimen at home. I have been so pleased with the video because it accurately reflects their teachings and techniques and motivates me to do the exercises and routines in between the personal sessions. The routines are easy to learn and fun to do!! By the way, I am a 72-year-old female with a precious husband who has Parkinson's. Talk about stress!!