Tai Chi for Beginners

Rating:
Summary: Too much dialogue
Review: I bought this DVD to engage my 92 year old mother in some simple, introductory exercise. I have done Tai Chi in the past and thought she'd enjoy it. Paul Lam's style involves visual example and verbal description, and the older participants he uses were good for her to identify with. However, even on the first viewing the amount of dialogue made it difficult to deal with, left my mother & I standing and waiting impatiently for him to move on to the next pose. Since with DVD you can't fast-forward past the dialogue, it would have been better to demonstrate the moves without so much discussion before going on to putting the sequences together.

Rating:
Summary: Not all exercisers are 25
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: "Tai Chi for The Elderly" is more like it
Review: I was so let down by this DVD that I almost gave up on Tai Chi. Why they chose a cast of people that were all over 50 is beyond me. I guess it's to appeal to that demographic. Paul Lam speaks too slowly and the group of seniors (to whom I mean no disrespect) move akwardly, out of sync, and barely stay 'true-to-form'. I would HIGHLY recommend that anyone who can stand up on their two feet at a moment's notice and walk up and down stairs without help should look into Kathy Smith's DVD. For those of you who are finding it hard to gain mobility - this is the DVD for you. I did not mean to offend so forgive me if I've been rude.

Rating:
Summary: "A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step"
Review: 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.