Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good..
Review: A book can only teach one so much...this is a good book to start with... A class is probably needed for most people
after reading the book and certain sections
many times...The discussions about other topics
relating to Tai Chi and involving Tai Chi is
very interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: This DVD is delivering exceptional results
Review: After purchasing half a dozen other tai chi instructional videos and DVDs and not being "hooked" by them, I finally discovered this edition -- and I'm truly glad I did! The lessons are sequenced in a logical manner, and Bill's on-screen presence is low-key and approachable, for lack of a better description. I began working with the long form tai chi he teaches and have been adding one new lesson -- or "phrase" -- each week. The results have been delightful: better posture, an overall feeling of improved health and centeredness, and a very noticable improvement in balance. As a dancer, this last aspect has been an added plus, as I have seen it manifested in my social dancing, as well.
Although the instructor's book -- the Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qi Gone -- is not a necessity, it is a very good read and the diagram section that corresponds to the long form taught on the DVD is extremely helpful.
Last thing: I dropped the author a note to ask a question -- and he actually responded! Made a good experience even more enjoyable.
If you do decide to go this route -- be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey. My "playing" time for tai chi has become a lovely sanctuary and a place to learn more about myself through movement. One move at a time.
Rating:
Summary: This DVD is delivering exceptional results
Review: After purchasing half a dozen other tai chi instructional videos and DVDs and not being "hooked" by them, I finally discovered this edition -- and I'm truly glad I did! The lessons are sequenced in a logical manner, and Bill's on-screen presence is low-key and approachable, for lack of a better description. I began working with the long form tai chi he teaches and have been adding one new lesson -- or "phrase" -- each week. The results have been delightful: better posture, an overall feeling of improved health and centeredness, and a very noticable improvement in balance. As a dancer, this last aspect has been an added plus, as I have seen it manifested in my social dancing, as well.
Although the instructor's book -- the Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qi Gone -- is not a necessity, it is a very good read and the diagram section that corresponds to the long form taught on the DVD is extremely helpful.
Last thing: I dropped the author a note to ask a question -- and he actually responded! Made a good experience even more enjoyable.
If you do decide to go this route -- be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey. My "playing" time for tai chi has become a lovely sanctuary and a place to learn more about myself through movement. One move at a time.
Rating:
Summary: anthology of tai chi
Review: All you need in dvd for lowering those stress levels and fully
chilling out.comprehensive programme for relaxation techniques
and lifting depression.RECOMMENDED
Rating:
Summary: Well written, well illustrated, and fun to read
Review: Before I begin with my review, let me share a brief anecdote on tai chi: about a year ago, I was at a town watch meeting and met a retired gentleman who lives in my neighborhood. I am a qigong practicioner, and he practices tai chi. He told me that, for 20 years, he had chronic back pain. Then he began to practice tai chi, and within a few months he no longer had this back pain that he'd suffered every day for 20 years.
Now, you can accept the traditional chinese rationale for this relief, or you can rationalize it any other way you like, but the fact remains that many people, like this neighbor of mine, have benefited from tai chi and qigong. You can too.
Anyway, back to the book. This 2nd edition is of a larger format than the standard "Idiot's" books, and is well illustrated to show the various stances and movements in tai chi. Mr. Douglas' writing style is entertaining, and I found the book to be informative.
On the negative side, there were a few things I disagreed with. For example, the name of the taoist master Lao Tzu is pronounced, according to Mr. Douglas, as "Lao Dzoo". However, fellow taoist and qigong master Ken Cohen, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, says it is pronounced "Lao Dzuh". I'm inclined to go with Master Cohen on this one, as he is a fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese. Also, Mr. Douglas says in this book that the I Ching is a "game", which it most certainly is not.
However, despite these misgivings, I found the information related to tai chi and qigong to be well-written and helpful, and this book is a worthy addition to my bookshelf. If you are interested in qigong only, I would recommend "The Way Of Qigong", by the aforementioned Ken Cohen.
Rating:
Summary: Anthology of T'ai Chi & Qigong
Review: Easy. Authentic. Comprehensive. Fun. These words describe my views of Bill Douglas' DVD. During the past eight weeks, I have been practicing T'ai Chi in my living room by learning and following Bill's demonstrations of this ancient chinese martial art. Anybody can do it under his tutelage. I'm 72 and I'm finding its mind-body benefits well worth the price. I wish I had discovered this marvelous art 30 years ago. I recommend it to all ages.
Rating:
Summary: Attention Writers! This book is for you!
Review: Here's the letter I wrote to the author, Bill Douglas:
Thanks! I can't tell you what a difference the book and DVD have made in my life. I am sleeping better, my career is looking up (stress was a major problem for me; I write and was dealing with life-changing stress-induced writer's block) based on lessons I'm learning from T'ai Chi and QiGong meditation. This is feeling life-long. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Rating:
Summary: excellent book to learn relaxing technique
Review: I found this book an excellent book to learn about the art of T'ai chi and Qi Gong. This new version with the drawings help to learn the moves much easier. The book and the videos are excellent tools to learn a good technique to learn how to relax and improve my health.
Rating:
Summary: T'ai Chi & Qigong: The Prescription for the Future
Review: I found this instructional video easy to follow while challenging enough to maintain interest. The learning experience is great and the benefits of T'ai Chi (stress reduction, better balance and more focus) is defintely a plus. I have recommended this video to associates and friends.
Rating:
Summary: A very good way to learn T'ai Chi and QiGong!
Review: I found this video definitely worth the money. Due to arthritis in my spine, I have been attempting to get some relief by learning T'ai Chi. I own other T'ai Chi videos that present the form in choppy practice sessions that just don't seem to flow together. This video is different. The T'ai Chi form is broken into smaller, naturally flowing sets of movements that are repeated many times and explained in familiar terms. I'm not a fast learner, nor do I have great physical coordination. But I am now easily learning T'ai Chi. Thank you Bill Douglas.
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