5 comments about Sunset Tai Chi (YMAA) DVD.

1. If you didn't know it by now, all products coming from YMAA are absolutely first class. This is no exception. Mr. Rones has obviously inherited a true understanding of taiji from Yang Jwing Ming.



2. This DVD contains a seated version that is very stimulating, but easy enough to do while I'm going through chemotherapy. It's thorough and it's interesting. It helps tremendously with the anxiety I go through during the treatment periods.
   
   Easy to follow and geared to different levels. You simply do a gentler version and gradually increase your effort until you reach a gentle but vigorous workout.
   
   This workout has helped keep me positive. I'm not sitting back doing nothing during my healing process. And the results are obvious in how I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.
   
   There is also the main standing version which I plan to learn when I'm ready.



3. Ramel Rones is definitely an expert and does a great job. Sunset Tai Chi focuses on relaxation techniques which includes breathing. This is a great DVD!



4. ÜBER 30 JAHRE PRAKTIZIERE ICH JETZT KUNG FU HEILGYMNASTIK, ABER MIT DIESEM TAI CHI BUCH SUNSET UND SUNRISE BIN ICH MEHR ALS ZUFRIEDEN, DA MEINE ERGEBNISSE FANTASTISCH SIND! DANKE AN RAMEL RONES FÜR SEINE TOLLE ARBEIT!
   WAS MICH BETRIFFT, ENDECKE ICH IMMER WIEDER ZUSAMMENHÄNGE ZWISCHEN DEN SPORTARTEN! KAUFE AUCH NOCH PATTERN!
   
   GOOD LUCK RAMEL RONES!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!



5. I have had this DVD for 2 weeks and I love it. I have only been doing the exercises in order to build up confidence in my ability to do each movement before I try to put it all together. Some times I do them sitting down so I am just concentrating on the hand movements. The different views really helps to see just how each exercise is done. I also love the way the narrator tells you want the movements are doing to your body.
   
   One note of caution. If you are out of shape like I am, don't do as many repetitions as Ramel does in the beginning. Pace yourself.

5 comments about Anti-Aging Method with Carol Argo (Low Impact, Yoga, Tai Chi, Dance, Pilates).

1. I have owed this CD for a few years and use it often at night, before bedtime or when the winter weather doesn't permit me to go to the gym. An excellent product!!!



2. I am in my 60's and after just a week or 2, I felt my core firm up. This interesting combination of Tai Chi, yoga, and dance moves make 'core' work rather fun & I did actually feel younger! I wanted to do more of the dance moves because I could feel a difference in my balance & core strength within a week! Other that watching Ofie (woman on the right of your screen), who appears to have difficulty smiling, the video is a great balance of moves!



3. I purchased this DVD trying to find something that was easier on the knees and gentle on the body. I have a weak left leg due to an accident years ago and I am not able to do high impact aerobics. I found that this DVD gave me a workout that I could sweat to and not be hard on my leg. The exercises created by Carol are truly amazing and I would actually find myself looking forward to them during the sequences. It wasn't hard to follow Carol and I liked how she incorporated Tai Chi and Yoga stretching in this DVD. The relaxation element to this DVD at the end is great and I find that very important in an exercise DVD. Overall very impressed and this DVD has stayed in rotation with my morning workout. It gives me that much needed cardio in the morning to get me going.
   
   Side note: I love the extras in this DVD. They seem realistic and even weren't totally perfect in their execution of the sequences. This gave it a more real feel for me. Good energy and flow with having people that don't seem like robots.



4. I am absolutely in LOVE with this Anti-Aging Method video. I have searched high a low to find a comparable DVD that would compliment this one and haven't found a thing. It is by biggest hope that Carol Argo would consider developing a similar DVD. As there is nothing out there that comes close to the variety and uniqueness of of the Anti-Aging Method video.
   I have been exercising for 30 years and can't count the number of aerobic, yoga, pilates, spin, tai chi (and just about every variation of these) classes I've taken so I can tell right off if the exercise video is a good one or not. I began by checking it out of my local library and knew it was one I had to own. Carol Argo is a pro who mixes the movement of dance, yoga and tai chi with a gentle, yet invigorating routine. The music is good and the teaching is excellent as she explains why some of the moves are necessary and why we do them. I've had this DVD for several years and have not gotten tired of it -- but I do wish she'd produce another one similar. I don't hesitate to recommend this DVD to any of you who want variety & information mixed with a low impact (and did I mention FUN) workout. I recommend this to you as I have for many of my workout friends.



5. I feel I waited too long to return this video since I spent over $20. It's just okay -- I would not pay more than a few $ for it. It's kind of slow and the 'free-form' parts were not really needed so much. It's just an okay workout for beginners (which I still consider myself) and could probably still use if you're intermediate or just lots older than me (50's).

5 comments about Eight Simple Qigong Exercises For Health - The Eight (8) Pieces of Brocade (YMAA) DVD.

1. I am a devout christian and weary about practicing martial arts with an element of occult worship, but this exercise DVD is very scientific and not into any other religion. So it is still a creation of God.
   
   I left the hospital with tremendous lungs problems and general weakness of my organs in general.
   
   Only practice the DVD once, I am healing, so I am doing it 3 to 4 times a days to accelerate my healing.
   
   I have been bed ridden for a long time, and now I have hope to go back to a full time job.
   
   Thanks for this well taught DVD, it is changing my life, also thank God for that.



2. I have practice The Eight (8) Pieces of Brocade for nearly 2 years now. In no doubt, I have realized how effective and beneficial the practice is. But unless I got it wrong all along, how can one just do the standing set 15 -20 minutes a day as the master himself suggested? It has been taken me an hour or more each day to complete the set. I would be really thankful if someone can educate me on something I might have missed. Any way, I want to thank Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming for helping me with a long a healthy life.



3. After doing Qi gong for many years and owning many DVDs and books, Dr. Yang's DVD is really informative and thorough. Many people get caught up in the different styles and names and unfortunately because Chinese culture is organically evolved this way. Dr. Yang has a healthy inclusive attitude about this and many teachers do not. No one style is better than another.
   
   It is important to keep it mentally simple but physically consistent. Said another way, it is in the doing not in the finding the secret style to make you indestructible or immortal.



4. The quality of the disc was very poor. It would not play in my dvd player, and played very intermittently on my computer causing a loud humming noise. The disc was obviously mis-shapen in some way. On the few snippets I was able to see, Dr. Jwing-Ming seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time advertising his other products; the reason I returned for refund rather than exchange. English subtitles are used (even though his English is acceptable) and sometimes obscure his movements. I bought this product for it's 5-star rating despite it's relatively high price. When the refund comes through I will choose a different dvd.



5. I think you'll enjoy this DVD by Dr Yang. He talks about the history of Qi Gong. He's a little hard to understand at times because he's Chinese, but one gets the impression he's very authentic. There are several segments to the DVD, and one of them is a full explanation of how Qi Gong got started thousands of years ago.
   
   There are several segments that explain how to do the sitting and standing exercises in great detail, and what the purpose of the exercise is. Then, there's another segment that has Dr Yang demonstrating the exercise for you. One will find the exercises very easy to do, and he mentions how breathing is extremely important as well. I think he realized that for many people this might be their first experience to this art, so he casually suggests that people practicing these moves concentrate on perfecting the forms, but generally speaking, with any movement that has an arm or leg extension, the individual should exhale. When bringing the arms or leg back, one should inhale, according to Dr Yang.
   
   I'm not a dentist, but there's an exercise where one has to chomp on their teeth multiple times to clear the brain. I think it might be a marvelous way to break some teeth if one isn't careful, so I'd offer a caution on doing this particular exercise.
   
   The rest of the exercises are remarkably easy, and one is left feeling refreshed after doing these brocade exercises. The musical background for the DVD is also very authentic and relaxing. I would like to highly recommend this DVD for the person looking for a DVD to start Qi Gong.

5 comments about Tai Chi Master.

1. Be very careful about who you purchase this from. I love this movie and I received the English dubbed version of the movie! The exact opposite of what I was looking for. It's terrible and I couldn't watch for more than 5 minutes because all the good lines in the movie are replaced with short boring phrases. Again, be careful about getting a so-called bargain on this version of the movie.



2. As a fan of the genre, I have seen most of the great Kung Fu films dating back to 1970s. This movie, until Jet Li's Hero came out, was my favorite Kung Fu film of all time.
   
   As with most good Kung Fu films, this movie focuses not on the action. Instead, the movie focuses on human relationships between two lifelong friends who grow up together. One chooses power, wealth, and pleasure. The other chooses to maintain his chosen path as a monk. Their paths inevitably collide, leading to climatic Kung Fu fights between two of the best Shaolin pupils.
   
   Although Jet Li's action sequences were great, it was his acting that made his performance stand out. Jet Li plays the role of a betrayed friend brilliantly. Jet Li looked genuinely sad when his friend joins the Army by making fool of himself to impress the Army leader. When his character becomes enlightened with the principles and forces of Tai Chi, Jet Li's facial expressions and movements also change.
   
   When this movie was released in 1993, the action sequences were extraordinary. Now, they seem rather ordinary by today's standards. But there is plenty to enjoy. The Shaolin monk fight sequences in the temple still ranks as one of the best Kung Fu fight sequences of all time. The dual between Jet Li and his nemesis friend is also very cool. Their fight scene is made more interesting by the fact the one is slightly better than the other and the better one uses a dynamic power style that the other can't counter. Both pleads to the other to join forces with them, leading to even more drama than otherwise seen in a Kung Fu action.
   
   Please do yourself a favor and watch ONLY the Chinese dubbed version with English subtitles. The English dubbed version of this version called "Twin Dragons" massacred the movie by using of terrible English dubbing and by removing most of the wonderful Chinese background music. If you want to watch a Kung Fu film, you are far better off watching it in its original form with English subtitles.
   
   I highly recommend this film to anyone who wants to watch a good Kung Fu film that has compelling characters and story.



3. My husband and I first saw this movie on T.V., placed orders with several video stores, always on back order, after one year of this, with several different stores; I finally tried amazon.com, OMG! we were watching it by weeks end. :)
   Excellent quality!



4. this movie i found out i allready had but it named something else, so i watched it again because im a jet li fan :)



5. a good martial arts movie about a rarely seen in the movies form of martial arts.

5 comments about Simplified Tai chi Chuan with Applications (YMAA).

1. Tai Chi is a difficult process to learn and I first started with an extremely slow and verbal lesson on another DVD. On this DVD no explanation of the the 24 steps is given when you practice the moves. He runs through the 24 moves two times in the forward position and then one time in the rear position. I've been doing these moves about 4-5 times a week for 5-6 weeks and have made slow progress. It would be best to start with a DVD like I did which was David Dorian-Ross.



2. Good video to learn the technique. I especially like the fact that he faces away to help you learn it in the right direction. Would be enhanced with a mirror for him to face. Also think it is great for an intermediate tai chi practitioner. Beginners may have trouble learning the movements.



3. This provides the history of Tai Chi along with detailed instructions and views. Excellent choice for a beginner.



4. This is an great video for the practicing or aspiring martial artist who is interested in learning more about the history and benefits of Tai Chi. The DVD provides an ideal format for individual instruction, using short, well-labeled chapters that include each of the various postures presented at a comfortable, learnable pace. Master Liang is an exceptional teacher who provides perfect presentation of the 24 postures in appropriate detail, at a variety of angles, including specifice inhale/exhale points throughout the form. Of particular value is his solo presentation of each posture, followed by the self-defense presentation countering an attacker. For those who want more, also included is the longer 48 posture form. A must-have to complete your library!



5. Although I don't think this DVD is for the absolute beginner, it does offer a good introduction to some of the history of TaiChi, as well as give very good examples of the 24 and 48 pasture forms. I found the rear view images hard to follow until I decided to watch them over and over several times without trying to follow along. This had the added benefit of helping me to 'feel' the movements more than just intellectualize them. I also found the martial applications very informative. This may be titled "Simplified" but it would be very valuable for the intermediate student as well.

5 comments about Tai Chi for Beginners with Grandmaster William C.C. Chen.

1. There were a few things about this video that people could legitamitly complain about, like the panning of the camera angles at times can make it a little more difficult to follow, but the instruction by William C.C. Chen, and the explanations on breathing, the chi, and movements really make this video great for those who are learning this form. For those who have zero martial arts history, this video may be difficult, but to those who have some understanding of Tai Chi, or Kung Fu it definitely helps. There is a loop feature that makes this video a lot easier to learn from than any other, plus his daughter and son doing the form with him during the full form feature make the video a lot easier to follow. The variety of the three's movements, with the uniformity and almost exact timing allow the veiwer to see the importance of the focus on the destination of the hands and feet rather than the arms and legs; The ability to move with the breath rather than the body. I can't give it justice with my words. The only flaws this video may have are with the filming of it, not with the info, or instruction. The flaws in filming are minor (like at times in the full form mode the cameraman may zoom in to far and cut off the movement of the feet (I think it happened twice), but it doesn't happen in the segmented parts, or looping). I highly, HIGHLY recommend this video to those who want to learn William C.C. Chens version of the Yang form.



2. The instructions on this DVD consist of a droning monotone of shift left, shift right, push here, etc. None of the individual movements of Tai Chi are described, just ongoing narration. Following along would be very difficult even if you were looking at the demonstrator's back, but he mostly facing forward. And if you happen to finally connect some words and actions, the camera will move and pan, making understanding impossible again. Avoid this DVD. It is not useful at all.



3. Good in that the instruction goes through both the individual stages and the whole form - but not easy to work with a mirror image of the movements.



4. For those who find the DVD hard to follow, I suggest getting the companion book, "Tai Chi Chuan; Art of the 60 Movements," the newer 10th printing published in 2008.
   
   If you want to learn the more subtle "mechanics" of Tai Chi, attend one of his workshops.
   (For example, Master Chen has not yet published his explanations of tilting and untilting the kwa)
   Don't wait too long though, Master Chen is 75.



5. After practicing Tai Chi on and off for 40 years and I've found that this is the form I always turn back to. Grandmaster Chen's instruction in person or on his dvd is superb. The art of Tai Chi is practical and there's no mystery. Tai Chi gives a person a lifetime of benefit, but it does not take a lifetime to learn. All you need is the right teacher, the Tai Chi form can be learnt in matter of months. There might be some criticism about the camera angles, but from my opinion, there are alot worse dvds out there. This dvd is first rate.
   
   I always appreciate Grandmaster Chen's honest approach and I am delighted to have his new dvd.

5 comments about Scott Cole: Discover Tai Chi For Beginners.

1. Checked this out at the Library and liked it enough to own it! Scott Cole is exceptional at making the complex art of Tai Chi very simple for beginners....avoiding intimidation and intellectualizing. Watching this video makes you jump right up and start doing the moves! You are doing Tai Chi within 5 minutes and enjoying it :)



2. Scott teaches with a slow pace, that makes it easy to learn the motions. I am in my 60's and have gained balance and I am more limber than have been in years. Tai chi is very relaxing, but is a workout for the whole body. My wife and I do the program everyday when first arising, and have energy boost for the day.



3. I bought this DVD a few weeks ago & I really like it. It moves slowly enough that, as a beginner, I can easily follow along.I bought it because I wanted to take a Tai Chi class but I did not want to enter a class and not be able to keep up. This particular DVD does not teach very many poses, so I think I would probably purchase a more intermediate video before I jumped into a class.



4. Having not taken a tai chi class before, I found this video to be a good introduction. The instructions are clear, & very easy to follow. I like that he gives you plenty of time to practice each step over & over before moving on. I got one of my friends to try this, & she loved it, too. I'm very happy with my purchase.



5. My doctor highly suggested that I incorporate Tai Chi into my exercise routine. Not wanting to commit to a group class until I knew a little of what was going on, I purchased the Discover Tai Chi for Beginners DVD. I like it. The DVD teaches you the basics. Be sure to watch all the chapters. There are chapters that show you the movements and chapters that are routines. You can mix it up. I feel the DVD is well worth the money I spent.

5 comments about Sunrise Tai Chi (YMAA) DVD.

1. I don't normally review products. But my disappointment in this product prompts me to do so.
   1. The DVD is hard to navigate. To find actual instruction for Tai chi moves - one has to hunt through too many different levels in the menu.
   2. The instruction for the tai chi moves once you find them is minimal.
   3. The DVD does not teach you anywhere near all 24 moves of tai-chi
   4. The DVD is more a easy/going touchy feely way to wake up - more stretch and breath than anything.
   5. It's very very repetitive.
   6. While the outdoors scenes are pretty, the director rarely moves the camera in an effort to guide you towards further education.
   
   I will be sending the DVD back. I suggest you look elsewhere as I will for guidance in tai-chi.
   The search continues.



2. I haven't had the time I'd like to work through this video. However, I have to say it's thorough approach appeals to me. I've already see benefits from the breathing exercises.



3. This DVD covers many forms of Tai Chi. It is short on the exact technique to be used for each exercise. It is difficult to get the finer points of the movement and style from a DVD.



4. The index for the DVD is a little confusing; sometimes I just want to pop in a DVD and go. However, the lessons are vigorous and relaxing at the same time. I found it a little tough as a beginner, but but then maybe I just didn't find the right lessons :-)



5. Sunrise Tai Chi is an interesting DVD. It is different and not exactly what I expected. Overall it is a great and informative DVD. It provides you with a 20, 40, and 60 minute workout to choose from. With over four hours of instruction and demonstrations you should feel comfortable knowing how to do the exercises. But here in lies my problem with the DVD. That is four hours of instruction and demonstrations without any real organization, other than being divided up into instruction and demonstrations. You can either watch the entire thing or you can select to start watching from a specific exercise but everything is bunched together. There is no "beginners class" that just goes over the exercises in the 20 minute workout, which is where I am sure almost everyone will want to start. Likewise for the 40 and 60 minute workouts.
   
   You can watch the entire thing, learning all the exercises and then go back and start with whichever workout you want. Though a lot of the exercises are not in the 20 minute workout. If this sounds good to you then you should really like this DVD. If however you are more like me in that you would like to be taught a foundation and then build up from that, then you might find this DVD a bit frustrating. This isn't like a Tai Chi class and it certainly makes it difficult for a beginner to get started. You will not be able to get this DVD and start doing the workouts right away. The workouts have little instruction for the exercises, that is what the instructions section is for which you really need to watch to be able to do the workouts properly. If the instruction was grouped together in a way that atleast matched the workouts this would be a really great DVD. The instruction is good, it is just too bad it is not better organized.

5 comments about Scott Cole: Discover Tai Chi AM/PM Workouts.

1. I did the PM workout first one evening and felt immediately relaxed, centered, and grounded. It is very easy to follow. The viewer can simply 'mirror' the forms, i.e., Cole faces the camera and the viewer moves as though Cole were a mirror image. I tried other videos and DVDs in the past where the instructor would turn all different ways and it was impossible to follow for me. Not here. Very good for a beginner like me. LOVED the PM workout. I was instantly relaxed and that day's stress felt lifted away. Very enjoyable. Anyone who can stand for 30 minutes at a stretch can do this.



2. I purchased this video for several reasons -- I've read great things about Tai Chi and its health benefits; I was fascinated to watch individuals in China performing it in the mornings and evenings; I suffer from a lot of anxiety and was looking for a way to help relax. I purchased this particular video because it got better reviews than the others.
   
   The video is very easy to follow and understand. I watched the slower walkthrough of the PM segment once and then am able to easily follow along with the full beach routine without any problems. The music is soothing as are the settings.
   
   Cole, the narrator and person featured in the video, throws in some basic explanations about some of the forms -- what they are for and what the theory is behind them. You won't become a Tai Chi master watching this video -- this barely even scratches the surface. However, it is very relaxing and goes through several 10 - 15 minute segments that can be beneficial when used on a regular basis. If you are interested in delving deeply into Tai Chi with a strong foundation of the history and moves, you'll need something beyond this video. So if you are looking for the relaxation, stretching, and health benefits that you can gain from Tai Chi, this video delivers.



3. Good for the beginner. Doing this workout even just once a day helps improve my low back pain. It's easy. You don't break a sweat, but it helps relieve tension. I will be ordering more of Scott Cole's products.



4. I am a total beginner to tai chi. I had tried a few tapes years ago and couldn't make heads or tails of them. I thought I was just too uncoordinated. I decided, though, to give this DVD a try based on favorable reviews.
   Finally! Scott Cole is the total package. He is very easy on the eyes (for us women), has a soft, pleasant voice, a very appealing manner and, best of all, he has created an easy to follow and enjoyable workout for me. I have only done the PM Workout so far as relaxing is my main goal. He starts going very slowly through all the moves and explains them thoroughly. I don't pay attention to right or left, I just watch him and mirror him and I was not confused. Once he gets you familiar with the workout, he puts it all together in a beautiful beach setting, flowing through all the moves with narration and then repeating the moves for a second time with just music. A lot of moves emphasized getting joints looser and there were balancing moves - I was shaky on these but this practice should improve my balance and that is one of the purposes of tai chi. Also, I could feel afterward that my leg muscles had been working. I think everyone could do the PM Workout and Scott says at times to not judge yourself if you can't do everything precisely.
   I previewed the AM Workout and the music and moves are faster and more energetic but either workout can be done at any time of day. I look forward to giving that one a try but, even if I only use the PM Workout, it is well worth the money for me.



5. 
   
   The video is very basic exercise, not the Yang Tai Chi form I expected.

5 comments about Element: Tai Chi for Beginners.

1. The mirror-image presentation is very disconcerting. (The narrator refers to "left hand," "left leg," etc., while the performer is moving right hand, left hand.) To follow this presentation I will have to relearn left and right. Otherwise, this would have been useful; but I wish I had not bought it.



2. I have only used the opening Qi Gong on this product, haven't gotten to the forms yet. But, the instructor, Samuel Barne has a soothing way of presenting the movements. And, I feel the relaxation flowing through my body as I follow along.



3. It is a great video that offers a woderful workout that increases your energy ten fold.



4. This is a great product, very relaxing and touches all of the muscels groups in a gentel way. Great for hips and joint movments and if you have been on the couch for a while gets you up and moving slowly. Great soothing background and they movments opens air passages. Super for strengthening lower back problems, would recomend for all age groups!!!



5. The Tai Chi leader goes through the moves but the narration giving instructions for performing right or left movements is wrong. If the instructions were consistantly stating move right for left movements, the student could assume that the instructor is performing a mirror image for the student; however, the narration switches left meaning right to left meaning left which confuses the student. I would not recommend this video...
   
   JZ