Rating: 
Summary: Best in it's Field! Perfect for Beginners & Refining Moves
Review: I practice outside, so don't use the DVD daily, but sure is nice to review and refine movements or check out the next movement whenever I feel ready to! Have tried other styles on VHS, but this version and the way it is presented, is MUCH easier to pick up, and very relaxing. Still have a way to go, but now I can improve on movements and correct breathing by reviewing even the earlier lessons. Our instructors say, "It took the Chinese 400 years to develop T'ai Chi, so we have plenty of time to get it right." Always thought I'd like to learn T'ai Chi,
THANKS Bill!
Rating:
Summary: Just what we need
Review: I'm a big fan of Bill Douglas's work. When I began looking into Tai Chi, I first picked up Bill's Book and thought it was great. It explained things in very simple terms and defined the ideas very well. I've been mostly working on my Tai Chi alone do to my crazy schedule & lifestyle and its is difficult at best. As soon as I saw this DVD set I grabbed it right up and it has reinvigorated my playing. Bill has single handily opened the doors of Tai Chi to millions around the globe and we are all in great debt to him. I couldn't be happier with this DVD, or recommend it with more enthusasum.
Rating:
Summary: Well Done, Bill !
Review: This certainly a keeper. Your presentation and delivery as well as your calm personality helped sent the message across. You definitely have your own unique style and approach of the subject and I respect you for that. You are presenting Tai-Chi in Yang style of your lineage and respect you for that too. (Dr. Paul LAM certainly earns his credit in gifting humanity with his TaiChi for Arthritis and TaiChi for Diabetes).
As a fellow Tai-Chi practitioner, I observed that you can take Bill's forms and add (fighting) visualization and may lower the (bending of) knees (2-levels more) to fill anyone's desire. But certainly Bill has shown and led us the way in using Qi-Gong and Tai-Chi to benefit one's health (aren't we all tired of aggression and fighting?). ...
Rating:
Summary: Great T'ai Chi teaching tool
Review: I would recommend this DVD to anyone who wants a great alternative or supplement to their formal instruction in T'ai Chi. Bill Douglas' teaching approach makes learning and appreciating this wonderful internal martial art fun. I wish I had stumbled across this many many years ago, as I had always been interested in T'ai Chi, but good instructors are difficult to find in my area.Anthology of T'ai Chi & Qigong: The Prescription for the Future
has been my answer and when you watch the DVD, and also read the book as an additional supplement, it is obvious the time and effort and professionalism that has gone into the making of this production. My life has been enriched by this DVD and, at only lesson 10, I can't wait for the rest of it! As the material teaches, T'ai Chi is a lifelong learning process and, for me, this DVD has been great place to start. Many, many thanks to Bill Douglas for sharing his experience with the rest of us!
Rating:
Summary: Great learning Tool!!
Review: I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a great alternative or supplement to their formal instruction in T'ai Chi. Bill Douglas' teaching approach makes learning and appreciating this wonderful internal martial art fun. I wish I had stumbled across this many many years ago, as I had always been interested in T'ai Chi, but good instructors are difficult to find in my area. Anthology of T'ai Chi & Qigong: The Prescription for the Future
has been my answer and when you read the book, and also watch the DVD or Video as an additional supplement, it is obvious the time and effort and professionalism that has gone into the making of this production. My life has been enriched by this book. As the material teaches, T'ai Chi is a lifelong learning process and, for me, this has been great place to start. Many, many thanks to Bill Douglas for sharing his experience with the rest of us!
Rating: 
Summary: Insulting Series
Review: I have not read this book.
It is not the content that I'm one staring. (neologizing permitted?) I will not read any book that implies that I'm an idiot. Of course I won't read those books for people that can't speak either. Now the question is; Is it elitism, or do I have some modicum self-esteem? Enquiring minds anyone?
Rating: 
Summary: Anthology of T'ai Chi
Review: There is no such thing as the "one-and-only, correct T'ai Chi" and there is no such thing as an incorrect performance of T'ai Chi. But in a teaching video, there is a need for clarity, consistency, and grace. On clarity, this DVD gets a 5; its a job well done. On grace of presentation, which requires exceptional muscle control and years of practice, the Author/performer gets a 3. For a performance that rates a 5, see the DVDs by Dr. Lam. However, a "3" is not so bad as the Author still rather young. But for consistency, he gets only a 3, which is not so good since consistency is within his grasp. T'ai Chi is a martial art and all its movements are fighting forms. Unlike Chi Kung, T'ai Chi is a defensive art that includes a self-protecting response. It is a catalogue of movements to choose from in response to an attack. In several cases, the Author refers to a punch or a kick to an opponent, but he fails to explain why these actions were taken. He fails to explain the martial connection between defense and response consistently. Missing these explanations, the DVD becomes a taxing memorization of a sequence of changing hand, leg and body positions. By showing the connections between the movements and their martial arts purpose, the Author would add logic to the DVD which would make it easier to learn in a more repeatable manner.
John T. McCabe
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: 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.
Rating:
Summary: TOP NOTCH DVD!
Review: This is by far the best instructional DVD I have ever purchased. Bill gives you complete instructions/demonstrations (from several angles) and gives you the opportunity to incorporate each lesson into the skills you have already learned. The sitting QiGong segment will leave you totally relaxed and ready to tackle our hectic world. The principles described here will change your life - if you let it!
If you've been considering T'ai Chi.......BUY THIS DVD!
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