Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17919 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-11-01
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: NTSC
• Original language: English

Video Details
Open up to the pearls of wisdom that organic movement has to offer. Welcome to Discover Tai Chi for Beginners Workout Essentials. Enjoy soaring confidence, reduced stress, and exhilarating movement as you explore the mysteries of the ancient martial art of Tai Chi. Join wellness veteran and Tai Chi expert, Scott Cole, in his private studio and on the timeless beaches of Hawaii as he guides you through the seamless program of basic postures, life-altering philosophies, and healing movement techniques that will reveal your personal potential for exponential growth and change. Renewed strength, flexibility, mobility, and vitality are yours in this easy-to-follow program that is uniquely formulated for beginners and can serve as continued study for more experienced Tai Chi practitioners. Experience the dynamic energy of over fifteen moves including: Traditional Yang Opening, Snake Creeps Down, Fighting Tiger, Brush Push, Playing the Pi Pa, Wave Hands Like Clouds.

On the DVD
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Interactive full-motion menus
Chapter selections
Tai Chi posture demonstrations from multiple angles
Instructional slide show including directions and photos
Hawaii workout to music

Synopsis
T'ai chi is a martial arts-oriented exercise discipline which has been common in Asia for centuries, but has only recently developed a following in the United States. Noted fitness guru Scott Cole demonstrates basic techniques of t'ai chi in this video, which stresses balance of body, mind, and spirit by utilizing movements which access the body's natural energy and healing powers. Discover T'ai Chi for Beginners With Scott Cole: Workout Essentials introduces novices to the basic postures and movements of t'ai chi, and explains which exercises will help users achieve the desired results. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

Great Workout - All Ages
My 8 yr old son and I have started an exercise regime. Since my father has been involved in the martial arts all of his life, us kids really never got involved with him on a regular basis - it was his freedom, his release. Well, after 17 years away from home, I have decided to try Tai Chi out for myself. Now, I am familiar with the basics, but you do not have to be with this DVD. My son had no problem keeping up, and even my girls (3 & 5) got into the routine and learned a few of the moves. I now know why my dad faithfully did his Tai Chi (and still does!. I feel energized, and it really does help in releasing stress! It is a great way to get the kids moving as it is low impact and as my son says - it looks cool. I will keep an eye out for more like these, but more advanced as I really enjoyed Scott Cole's approach, teaching techniques, and of course how great he looks doing these fluid motions - I only hope to look that graceful!

Perfect Introduction to Tai Chi
"...because he is alive to difficulty. That is why he meets with no difficulty." ~Lao Tzu

Firstly this workout DVD has so many features it was quite amazing. If you are new to Tai Chi this is a perfect place to start. The music is soothing and exotic, the scenery is beautiful and the instructor's voice is calming.

Secondly, I could actually do the workout on the first try. Tai Chi looks difficult when it is done too quickly. On many other DVDs I felt that I could not learn the moves fast enough so I gave up. Scott Cole moves at a perfect pace.

Scott Cole focuses on guiding you through Tai Chi postures and training techniques. He blends martial and healing arts in order to empower you and motivate you to move in a healing direction. He was named one of the Top 5 Fitness Instructors in the world and has appeared in over 300 publications worldwide.

DVD Contents:

1. Play Features - Plays all the features

2. Chapter Selections - Pushing the Wave, Beautiful Woman Turns Her Waist, Grounded Chi Journey in Hawaii, Parting Horses Mane

3. Special Features - Postures with Narration, Postures With Music, Workbook Slideshow, Hawaii Workout to Music.

4. Audio Features - Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1

The benefits of this DVD are immediately apparent:

Renewed Strength
Upper Body Warming - blood flow definitely increases in the upper body.
Increased Flexibility
Increase in Energy and Confidence

This Tai Chi workout is the best I've ever tried. It was easy to learn the exercises and I also had a few great laughs because, well, some of the postures and movements are rather funny the first time you do them.

Once you have learned the moves you can then try the workouts with just music. Once you have memorized the workouts you may find yourself wanting to do the exercises outside. The exercise routines can be done almost anywhere and you need very little space to do them indoors at home.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Okay introduction for absoulte beginners...
however, you have to listen to a lot of New Age blabber. If you don't have much time to spend, have never done Tai Chi before, and you need a workout that is not too physically demanding, scott Cole's program really will fill the bill. However, this is not the traditional short form and the individual positions are performed differently by Cole (though they are easier to do) than by traditional Tai Chi teachers. Paul Lam's Tai Chi - The 24 Forms is a much better place to start if you've had some Tai Chi background or you want to learn according to the traditional style. Lam's DVD is detailed and precise, and includes 6 Qigong exercises as well. Personally, I found Cole's DVD a good springboard to get back into Tai Chi, but probably won't view it again now that I've stumbled across Paul Lam. Lam (a medical doctor) also has Tai Chi programs for people with diabetes, arthritis, folks who are over 50, and for absoulte beginners who need an easier introduction. But most of all, no New Age mental clutter to distract you from the beauty of the Tai Chi movements.