Customer Reviews

New Forest Tai Chi for Beginners [VHS]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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

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.

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!!

Until recently I did not know much about Tai Chi. I discovered through reading about a National Institute of Health study that Tai Chi can improve a person's balance. As someone diagnosed with ataxia a few years ago, I was searching for something to help with my balance problems. I learned that John Bright Fey's wife was teaching a course especially for persons with balance problems, and attended. This course, much of which is repeated in the video, has helped me dramatically in my balance and coordination. For example, before I started doing Tai Chi I couldn't stand still with my eyes closed. After about six months of doing Tai Chi, I can. I still go to the Tai Chi classes, but when I have to miss a class or have other free time for exercise I put in the video, and have a class anytime I want. The video is easy for beginners and it is actually fun!

New Forest Tai Chi for Beginners is just that - for beginners! I read the product description and several of the reviews. This product was obviously designed to bring the health benefits of tai chi to the average person. It is not traditional tai chi but it never claims to be!

Traditional tai chi can be difficult to learn. I know because I teach it! Students drop out all the time because they get frustrated trying to coordinate their arms and legs, while trying to move slowly. They could get it- if they stuck with it, but most don't. They were told tai chi would help them relax, but instead it stresses them out!

I recommend this video to all students who come to me looking for the health benefits of Tai chi. I have heard nothing but praise from those that have tried it. They all say pretty much the same thing "I can do it!".

If you're not sure this video is for you, take a moment to read the product description and the review written by Rebecca- I think she says it best. My opinion is that whether you are 35, 50 or 80 years old, if you want the health benefits of Tai chi- this tape is a gem!

I just purchased this dvd and being a senior as well as a beginer I must say it gave me a whole new outlook on Tai Chi. I had tried it once before and found it complicated,but this tape is easy instructional and FUN. The instructor is easy to understand very pleasant to listen to,and a very good instructor. some may say this isnt Tia Chi but to them I say for those of us that are older and or beginers it offers a beautiful way to start into the wonderful world of Tai Chi. Thanks whole heartedly to its developer.I will continue to use this dvd and probably move up as I can all because someone finally made it a pleasure to understand.AAAA++++++

Like many people, I have tried all kinds of yoga only to discover that pain and soreness outweigh any "relaxing" benefits. Then I discovered New Forest Tai Chi. This video provides what I've been looking for for years--a simple movement routine that relaxes and boosts energy without tying me up in knots. Far from the manic energy I'd feel sometimes from aerobics (ugh) or power yoga, playing New Forest Tai Chi makes me feel truly relaxed and revitalized for the rest of the day. I was surprised at first because the videotape seems so simple. I'm usually wary of anything for beginners, but the introductory level of the video makes it completely accessible and yet I can tell the benefits are quite advanced.

Having played a variety of styles of tai chi with a variety of teachers, I have to say that John Bright-Fey's presentation of tai chi makes this powerful art accessible to anyone and everyone. Although the movements are simple, their performance coupled with a playful attitude can produce amazing results. Although it is a beginners tape, "old pros" could benefit from this tape in that it speaks to the essence of this ancient art that is read to be rediscovere.

I am reducing my weight and find this more and more
difficult as exercise is a challenge with my pain levels
and back issues. Your tape was easy and relaxing
and I found it be a benefit in less than a week. The way the moves are broken down into steps and stages helps you to really comprehend not just the movements but the parts of your body that you are using. I find myself looking forward to my New Forest time and even do a short run through at my desk during the day to keep me focused and centered. My goal is to perfect my moves and to focus on my breathing and my balance so I never get bored which is an accomplishment in itself as I usualy don't have a lot of patience. This is a new begining for me both physically and meditatively.

The instructions on this DVD are really easy to follow and learn. After one run through following along I can do this without ever watching the DVD again. I've never done anything like this before so I learned it all for the first time with this DVD. I like the fact that I learned it quickly because I usually get frustrated quickly and quit, but it left me wanting more. Like, is that all there is? I'm now on a quest for other Tai Chi DVD's that are equally as easy to learn but not leaving me wanting more.