333
people found this helpful, as of 2023
ranked #72,068 most helpful
out of 571,544,897 reviews
★★★★★
For Women who want to be healthy, flexible and youthful.
When I first read the title of this DVD I thought to myself, "tai chi is tai chi, for everyone, not just women". When trying out this beginner exercise I realized that, yes, the tai chi is the same principles as taught to all people, but the focus of this set is on how the set helps women's issues.
Women have cycles, hormonal changes different than males and also have differences in
bone density and they rate at which we rebuild bone. Master Helen Liang very carefully points out how each movement in both the exercise warm up sets and the tai chi form, serve to help balance women's systems, rebuild bone, relieve stress and tension and regain a better understanding on how your systems are connected.
The program begins with easy warm ups and stretching exercises. The instructions are clear and precise and there is calm, gentle music playing in the background. I like that Master Liang mentions energy and qi in her lessons, without making it confusing. She also shows ways to adjust the movements if you are not yet ready to balance. I noted that some of the warm up movements occur later in the ten form and she points out how you can start slowly and work up to doing the movements without assistance of a chair or wall.
Some of the warmup movements come from classic Eight Pieces of Brocade, a set that can be used on a daily basis for a lifetime, regardless of age.
The tai chi that is shown is also a common short set of 8 to 10 Yang style, standard movements, depending on how you count the opening and closing. The filming is excellent, as always with material put out by YMAA. Movements are shown from the front so you can see the hands, and from the back and side so you can follow along. They are taught individually and then strung together into a full set. Filming is in the studio and then outside.
Special helpful tips are given at the end of the tai chi form. Practice outside in the fresh air, in nature, near water, if you can. Don't stress over proper breathing patterns, they will come naturally as you practice.
I highly recommend this DVD for women and men too, who want to begin a program of health, flexibility and youthful vigor. From here you and move on to the Simplified 24 Movement Tai Chi, also offered by YMAA. I have taught tai chi for more than 20 years and Xinyidao for the last 5 years and can tell you that all the material put out by YMAA has been excellent, both for beginners and the experienced Kung Fu player.
