Tai Chi For The Mind & Body.
If I remember correctly this is a late 90s production that was once sold on Amazon.com in region 1 VHS format and was titled " David Carradines Tai Chi For The Mind & Body" and received mostly impressive reviews. This long awaited UK DVD version has the added bonus of some nice stuff in the extras menu and also the advantage of being able to choose either the AM (mind) or the PM (body) routine at the push of a button and without any old fashioned fast forewarding.

It is a shame they never kept the Mind & Body title but that does not take away the fact that this is very simple and highly enjoyable and beneficial couple of Tai Chi workouts

The first session is the AM (mind) Tai Chi and fine for any time of day. However if you are looking for a easy and gentle Tai Chi routine to practice before work then this is the perfect choice beacause it does not try to get you to put the individual movements together, which means that you do not need to waste precious time pausing and rewinding and trying to master complete form. The movements are practiced in such a way that you should feel more relaxed without the need to work on the continous form.

This said contrary to other reveiws the complete form is demonstrated by Master Arnolde Tayham over the credits at the end of the PM workout, so the form is there even though there is no pressure put upon you to study it.

The second session is the PM (body) workout which teaches a slightly more energetic form. Dispite what is said in some earlier reviews the complete form is not only demonstrated but the viewer is also shown how to put the movements together into the complete form whilst Carradines narration (and demonstration) explains exactly which way to turn etc.

You are taken through the form perhaps a little too quickly and without enough repeats to be able to go through non stop. Thats OK, that is the idea of having the DVD and being able to use the pause and rewind button but don't expext to finish this second PM session in a relaxed state because for a while at least you will only be feeling the fraustration of failing to keep up with the people demonstrating, but you will finish up with the satisfaction of knowing that you are getting a little better each time you practice.

I would say for learning some Tai Chi and Chi Kung in an unrushed but highly informative yet relaxing manner you really should get "David Carradines Chi Energy Workout". But this PM workout makes an excellent addition even though it is slightly rushed in comparison.
The AM session of this DVD should not be missed either for its simplicity and relaxing tone but I would reccomend buying the "Chi Energy Workout" first and supplimenting it with this DVD at a later date.
It should be noted that Carradines expertise as well as his production methods have come on in leaps and bounds compared with his terrible 80s production titled "David Carradines Introduction To Kung Fu & Tai Chi".
The end.

Amazing
I agree with the previous reviewer, I have recently purchased this DVD and wanted to do some form of Tai Chi/Chi Kung without going to classes or trying to learn something that took ages to master. This fits the bill perfectly, everytime I use the AM workout in particular I find it really relaxing and far easy to learn than the complete form, the forms shown are easy to master and really relax the mind and body. Thoroughly recommended.

Its not in the title
Was not quite sure about this dvd as there was no synopsis, AM/PM Tai Chi, what the heck is that I thought?
Well I was plesantly suprised.
This is not a dvd that will teach you tai chi long or short form, it is a series of exercises based on the individual forms of tai chi. Each exercise is performed separately from each other not continuously as in Tai Chi. Don't let that put you off though.
If you are looking for pure Tai Chi form then this will not fit the bill but if you are looking for something that uses the beauty and fluidity of Tai Chi to improve your fitness with out devoting years to learning the form then this does it rather well.
I have practiced Tai Chi for many years, but have lapsed in my practice so was looking for a guide to get me back into it. My son has never expressed any interest in the form particularly but he was transfixed by this dvd and was loving following the exercises. His comment was, 'I like doing this, it is not to hard to follow'. So I think that sort of says it all :)
Quality of filming is good and set pleasant to look at, warm up and cool down sections as well. I would recomend this dvd to someone not looking for the pure form.

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