Tai Chi For Beginners DVD: 8 Tai Chi Beginner Video Workouts. Easy Tai Chi Routines. includes Gentle Tai Chi for Seniors to increase Strength, Balance & Flexibility

I recently purchased several Tai Chi DVDs in hopes of learning Tai Chi or at least becoming familiar with the 24 basic moves before making a fool of myself in an actual class. Actually, I just wanted to learn the moves first because I become confused and easily distracted if there are a lot of folks around so I wanted to become familiar with it first, thinking it would then be easier for me to join a class. Anyway, that's kind of besides the point.As I said, I got several DVDs. Out of all of them, this has proved to be the absolute best for learning the basic movements. The lessons are broken down into 8 segments, so for example, in 1A I learned the opening, Separating the Wild Horse's mane and White Crane spreads its wings and in 1B (the second part of the first segment) I learned Brush Knee & Step Forward, Playing the Lute, and the closing. The teacher goes through each posture/movement slowly several times and then more fluidly before putting the postures together into a flow of movement (my own term). The way the DVD is set up, I was able to play the 1A part every day for a week until I felt I could go on to part 1B. At that point, I would play part 1A and then part 1B until I felt ready to go to part 2A and so on. I can move at my own pace to learn. Most of the 8 segments are further broken out into 2 parts and the first is usually about 30 min and the second (the B part) is a bit shorter.One of the things I like, in addition to being able to learn posture by posture at my own pace is the fact that the teacher will pause and explain what I could be doing wrong, e.g. bending my upper body backwards or lifting a shoulder--that sort of thing. It's incredibly helpful. And I like the way everything is broken up into manageable chunks. I haven't worked my way through all 8 segments yet--I imagine it might take me several months--but I am in no hurry and I'm learning at a pace I can deal with.I'll admit that I left a lot of the philosophical information untapped at the moment. I can always circle back around to pick that up as I wish. For now, I'm just interested in learning the basic short form.Oh--I'm not only a beginner but a senior and thank goodness, the lessons so far have been absolutely doable. When I first got the DVD, I did go through the first lesson and draw little stick figures along with notes about the positions to help me understand better when trying to duplicate the movements. That helped a lot, too.The other DVDs are okay, but as far as actual segments that I can play to make up an exercise session of a length that I can handle, this has beenby far the best. And the instructor does an excellent job of describing/showing what you should be doing, helping you practice it, and noting where you may be going wrong as you commence your Tai Chi journey.If I had it to do over again, i.e. buy DVDs, I would simply purchase this one. I imagine that I will use some of the other ones I bought at a later point, although for some reason, I found one or two of the other ones to have kind of irritating teachers. That's entirely personal. I like the teacher on this one the best out of all of them.So, yeah. This is an excellent beginner's DVD for learning Tai Chi and is particularly well suited to senior beginners.

I have never practiced, watched, nor attempted Tai Chi in my life before. I am horribly out of shape, which is why I'm trying to fix it. To be honest I was afraid I would not be able to do the moves at first. But the instructor very carefully and slowly showed several times from different angles how to move and where to put your foot, your arm, etc that I found myself actually able to keep up and understand. I am the epitome of beginner here so if I can understand this, I think anybody could. :)I am amazed. With just one runthrough of the warmup I felt my body respond. It was AWESOME! I'm so far out of shape that I can't do each movement for very long but I can do them. It took me a few tries to get some of the movements down correctly but I was able to do them. Even the whole...erm squatting lower thing (sorry new to this) I could do, I just can't do it well.I would most definitely recommend this to the beginner. I think more advanced people might find it too slow perhaps, but as this is for beginners I think he nailed it spot on. It is very low impact (believe me, I've hurt myself enough times trying to work out in other formats I know!) and no matter how out of shape you are, you can do these movements. I am excited to get back home and do the next round. The stiffness in my body is going away, which is amazing.One of the things I appreciate most (and maybe this is normal, this is the first exercize video I've ever bought) is that the DVD is partisioned into the warmup and different levels of exercizes. I can go at my own pace and redo the movement until I understand how to move properly.This might not be for everyone, but if the beginner like me is looking to figure out how to do Tai Chi, I so very definitely recommend this. I cannot say that enough. Once I build up my endurance and need to expand my knowledge I will buy further DVDs from Master Pei's teachings. I am as newbie to this as they come and Master Pai is very patient in the video, going slow so beginners can keep up, understand, and learn. Thank you.

Nice video. Very clear instructions and more than enough to learn for a beginner.Decided to watch/review the lessons before trying to do the exercises myself. I dare you to sit though the entire DVD presentation without falling asleep!! His voice is so calm and focused. I went out like a light. If Master Pei can't lower your blood pressure your spring is wound way too tight.Doing the exercises is a pleasure and a challenge. No worries. You WILL be awake when moving as demonstrated (not easy) and there are enough rudiments taught to keep me busy for awhile. Good quality sound, natural setting, and easy logical instruction. Very cool. Just what I wanted.Don't just buy it and forget it. Make it a daily practice. Give it a chance and stay focused. You'll enjoy it.