Customer Reviews

T'ai Chi Beginning Practice

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I purchased this DVD because I liked an earlier DVD by David Dorian Ross. This is an excellent introduction to the first part (8 moves) of the Yang style short form for those who have never tried T'ai Chi before. It does not teach the whole short form. However, if you master this DVD, you will be well prepared to take the next step--learning the entire form. David Dorian Ross is easy to understand and to follow. You shouldn't have any trouble learning these particular moves.

The morning routine is beautiful and easy to follow. The tone of the dvd is peaceful and graceful. The Solo Forms section is great for a beginner, but I agree with others who say it is difficult to reverse the movements, right to left. I want to be able to copy what I see, and reversing right to left is too confusing, so I literally turn the laptop around, and look at the reflection of it in a mirror, so that I can copy his actions exactly, and that works fine.

If you have never done Tai Chi before, this provides a very good introduction. The instructions and demonstrations are very clear and easy to follow. It might take several tries to get the coordination down, but once you get it you will enjoy it. When I first started, my back and hips were seriously bothering me and it helped ease some of the pain - whether it's related to the gentle movements or just the fact that I was doing moves I don't normally do, I don't know. I just know that it made a difference. This may be too slow for an experienced Tai Chi person, but for a newbie like me it is perfect!

I agree with the reviews above. On the whole the video is fun but several mistakes keep it from from being the excellent product it could of been. The right/left issue was not easy for me to overcome and then there are several actual for mistakes. The biggest one is on Crane spreads wings. I had to go and reference several other sources to confirm which time the instructor did it right (The initial form is correct, the form used later is not.) If the instructor is versed in Tai-Chi how could he of not known he was doing it wrong? Nervous on camera? did he review the dvd and not catch that? or did they just say "oh well they will figure it out."

A properly edited/corrected version could go a long way in making this an item to truely recommend.

I like this video because I see a genuine Tai Chi master teaching authentic forms.

Before I received this video I had been attending Tai Chi classes for more than 3 years. I constantly experienced sore knees after each class. After I followed this video a few times, my knee pain disappeared. In this video Master Ross' constant reminder: `Don't forget, adjust your....' helped me correct my postures. Now I use this video everyday to check my postures. I am grateful to the person who gave me this precious gift.

For students taking Tai Chi Classes this video is a useful supplement between classes.

This video is an excellent learning tool for beginners. Once you have learned this video course, you will have no problem moving on to the next level: an instructional video entitled "Tai Chi with David Dorian Ross" (a/k Tai Chi in Paradise).

For someone thinking of doing some workout having maximum health benefit with minimal time, this video will give you inspiration.

There is a bonus featured in this DVD in which Master Ross teaches the eight pieces of brocade, excellent.

I highly recommend this DVD.

Yes, it's true the tai chi routine is a bit confusing initially as far as which direction to go, to follow the instructor. But with practice this can be overcome... Nonetheless, I've given this DVD 5 stars because I LOVE(!) the bonus "A.M. Chi for Beginners" workout which follows. I originally had it on video but so many people would borrow it somehow it never got returned to me. Well it's no longer available on video unfortunately. So I was thrilled beyond belief to find out I could get it on this tai chi DVD. I personally don't do the tai chi segment as my apartment is too small for all the leg work tai chi usually involves, but for qigong lovers the "A.M. Chi for Beginners" routine is well worth the price alone! (and requires little floor space). It's a classic and I'm surprised they don't have a separate DVD with that title for the throngs of us who loved it on video. And only 20 minutes long, so I can easily fit it into my schedule even on the busiest days. There are three parts to the 20 minute A.M. Chi routine, which was filmed at sunrise on a beautiful Maui beach: (1) "Gathering Chi from the 6 Directions and Mixing it in the Cauldron of the Body", (2) the classic "8 Pieces of Brocade" qigong series, and (3) "Opening the Heart". The movements are so easy to follow (no confusion here), and never fail to put me in that peaceful frame of mind to help get me through life's ups and downs. I look at this as my A.M. Chi DVD which just happens to have a bonus tai chi workout... In short, the tai chi segment might be disappointing for some, but the bonus track may just surpass your expectations.

I feel a bit releived after reading some of the reviews on here. I thought I was too uncoordinated to get this down, but the left to right on this DVD is REALLY confusing. Once I get messed up, there's no getting it back. I DO NOT recommend this for anyone who is just starting out. It's not easy to pick up the flow. He goes from showing you the name of the movement and how to it, to telling you to mix them all together by name. I'm sorry, but when I am learning a movement, I can't remember what to do after only being told once. I am paying more attention to the movements and doing them correctly than I am to the names of them! I'm just left frustrated and wondering which DVD I should start with instead!

I completely agree with the reviewer who loves the A.M. Chi on this DVD. This has been a wonderful surprise. I've never been much of a morning person, but I now look forward to getting up a half hour earlier each day to do this routine. My energy level has definitely increased as well. The beach setting, the music, and the queing are excellent. It also seems to be perfect timing that as the routine ends, a gentle wave finally laps in to brush David-Dorian Ross's feet. I, too, am not as fond of the Tai Chi for Beginners section but intend to alternate it with several other tapes and DVD's I have of DDR's. His Tai Chi Daily Practice DVD is fabulous and I use it in conjunction with the A.M. Chi.

Tai Chi Beginning Practice, with David-Dorian Ross. Keep in mind this is my first outing with Tai Chi (never tried it before, absolute novice, but I am reasonably fit and do enjoy yoga):

*The Solo Forms - Tai Chi*

Good Things -

The setting is lovely - in an aspen forest in the Rockies of Colorado.

High production values.

The instructor has a nice, gentle voice, serene manner and seems like a good teacher.

When I was able to get the moves right, I felt elegant and graceful. I think I will be able to grow into this DVD.


Less Good Things -

Sometimes the high production values get in the way of being able to follow what the instructor is doing. If the camera wasn't circling around or closing in on David's face, I might be able to figure out what direction I am to be moving into. :)

Sometimes David gets his right and left switched up, which is EXTREMELY hard to handle...since it's tough enough to figure out the right/left in the first place (he is facing you).

David moves a bit too fast for a novice (like me). I am sure the pace will be fine once I know what I am doing. My husband, who had at least some beginners Tai Chi experience, also found this hard to follow. Figuring out your left and right when someone is facing you is really a tough nut to crack.

I spent a lot of time in this segment just standing and watching in yogic Tree Pose, waiting for something to cycle around so that I could follow again.

I would have preferred the DVD to show us a split screen or insert with him NOT facing the audience. I am thinking of actually watching this DVD in the mirror to be able to follow along. I am hopeful this will be helpful!

*Flowing Practice Demonstration*

It was a good idea for the DVD to include a segment on how the forms are supposed to look, all flowing together, by a master. I appreciated this addition.

*Qigong/Chi Gong Extra*

There is a bonus segment on the DVD, a Morning Chi Gong practice. This is set on a beach and is very easy to follow; a very soothing and wonderful addition to the DVD.

I think for some people the DVD is worth getting for this part alone. I have never done chi gong before and I think this is fabulous - anyone can do it.

I was a little bit distracted by the waves creeping up to his feet, but it's ultimately neat that the wave only actually laps David's toes during the final move. How did they plan that? heehee

*The Upshot*

The total time on the DVD is 1 hour and 10 minutes. I would recommend that beginners with some experience be patient with the right/left issues (maybe watch in a mirror). For complete novices, this may not be the best starting DVD, unless you are really patient with your own frustration levels. Personally, I plan to use this DVD a few times a week, and believe each time will be easier and more graceful.

That said, and this bears repeating: the Chi Gong bonus segment is wonderful for anyone at any level. As you stand in one place through the whole movement, you don't need a large space to work in (as you do with the Tai Chi segment). This is a plus for people with tiny living rooms! :)

Yep, I thought I was going nuts and had no cordination until I realized that sometimes David is saying "left" while moving the "right" arm....uggg. Other than that I do like the format of the instruction minus a mistake or two. I would give this DVD 5 stars if David knew left from right.