Customer Reviews

Tai Chi for Beginners

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In reading some of the reviews, I can't help but think some are missing the point. While I am only in my early 30s, the silver-hairs did not distract me from learning Tai Chi from this DVD. While some of them don't move as smoothly as some can, Dr Lam does move quite well and provides an excellent example of the proper form. As for the dialogue, after you listen to it a few times, you should be able to do the moves at your own pace and if you get ahead of the DVD, simply stand and meditate and wait for it to catch up. I use the remote on my DVD player to rewind and fast forward so I can do things at my own pace. If you are starting Tai Chi, this DVD should work for you. If you are more experienced, then this may bore you quickly. All I know is that I have slept better in the last week than I ever have (I do Tai Chi at night, right before bed). I now awaken fully refreshed before the alarm goes off!

Tai Chi for Beginners is an excellent program. Dr. Paul Lam teaches an innovative Step 1-2-3 method to make learning easy and enjoyable. I was able to learn the six beginner forms in one week. Tai Chi is not strenuous, but greatly assists the student to relax and release stress. I would recommend this DVD to anyone who wishes to improve their health without destroying their joints. Dr. Lam's students in this DVD are all in their "Silver Years." However, this training would be enjoyed by all ages. The back ground music adds to the peace and calming effect of the exercise.

I bought this for my mum (aged 66) who has had a knee replacement and also has a bad back and other health issues. She loves it, has even booked to join a pensioners (we call Seniors pensioners in England) class as this gave her confidence to do so, and her flexibility is improving. I don't know about you, but I HATE it when exercise DVDs only show really, really young things (I'm 38) - which I am sure is fine if you are really young. Good quality products like this have a place; the instructor really knows his stuff; the class with him did not intimidate my mum. I say, you go Seniors! Good for you, this is a great DVD and don't listen to people who are churlish simply because they bought something that was not wrong, but wrong for them.

I have had T'ai Chi for Beginners for about a week. Yes, it is repetitious. And, I am playing it over an over again. I am working on my coordination to go with the movements and still I am not completely satisfied with my performance. There is diaglog but it has only reinforced my trying to learn. The demonstrations are detailed - the reason for the dialog. Repetitions allow practice along with the DVD. The angles and repetitions help to study the movements. As I feel satisfied with my movements I learn another. I look forward to doing the T'ai Chi exercises and am enjoying learning the position. All and all it is very enjoyable and I am looking forward to gaining the confidence to move on into the 24 Forms. I am a senior citizen but I feel mastering the coordination necessary would be good and challanging for any age.

This is an excellent DVD. I have no prior experience with Tai Chi. The DVD is easy to follow. The positions are clearly explained. Highly highly recommended.

PS- A newsflash to the other reviewer that thought the DVD went too slowly ... Tai Chi is SUPPOSED TO BE SLOW! ;)

This DVD helped my wife and I both learn a whole new form of exercise for the mind and body. The instructional factor was put together very well. I reccomend this for anyone who feels that they are not very athletic but want to be able to work out without over exerting yourself. When we are done we feel relaxed, yet we definetaly feel like our body received a worth while workout.

If you have had trouble with other self-improvement, self-taught videos, forget about those problems and go with Dr. Lam. This video provides a gradiated approach to Tai Chi exercises and a basic set of forms that can be understood and performed by anyone with ambulatory capability, i.e., if you can stand up, sit down, and walk around without assistance you have all that it takes to get started here. After a few months of practice, you will want to move on to the "24 Forms" video.

My husband and I have taken some lessons in Tai Chi and Chi Kung. The last time we took several lessons we found it hard to follow the instructor who had more experienced students in his class. We decided to try this DVD and highly recommend it as it is really well done and easy to follow.

Easy to follow, educational, instructive...this is good stuff for those wanting to take up Tai Chi and were too busy to visit a class. However, a few classes before beginning would make the learning easier.

The way this video is broken up it is an instructional video, NOT a workout set video. You dont just learn as you run through a set and by the time you actually get to the set parts youve already forgotten how to do the stuff you did an hour ago. Its hard to get into and it turns you around as you try and do the moves so you cannot see the video. You go through each move in 4 or 5 different views each but still its hard to translate into movement. You stand on one foot waiting for him to stop talking about what you should be doing and showing a close up.

This video definately has value but if your looking for something to quickly dive into and follow for a workout this might not be the one. If you follow it long enough im sure you would learn enough to make up your own work out. But sometimes you just wanna have something to learn and do right then so you can get moving.