Tai Chi For Over 55's [VHS]: Paul Lam: Amazon.co.uk: Video

I have recently bought this video, although I am much younger than 55. I was immediately impressed. The teaching method used here is easy to follow and really very efficient. The video starts with a brief introduction to Tai Chi, accompanied by demonstrations of Tai Chi classes. Then the programme starts with warming exercises (it takes about 8 minutes). Then, Dr. Lam teaches, with the aim of a student, two basic steps (moving side way and moving forward) and the forms-Young style. Each form is broken down to several parts so it is impossible to miss something. Everything is demonstrated from the front and from the back, sometimes from a different angle as well. Firstly, Dr. Lam demonstrates from the front view, then he teaches the student, then the two together do the exercise from the back for us to follow. There is a lot of logical repetition, and at the end it is very easy to remember the whole routine. There are two sets of forms for didactic purposes and different levels of ability. The first set includes 5 forms (commencing form, carrying the ball, waving hands, parting wild horse's mane, closing form). The second part adds 2 forms to the above set (stroking bird's tail left and right side). When teaching finishes, Dr. Lam demonstrates from the front and then from the back the full set of forms (it takes about 6 minutes). Instructions are given for how to proceed further. The winning down exercises are the same as the warming up exercises (not demonstrated again). Then there is a sitting QiGong (breathing) exercise (it takes about 5 minutes). I usually do 5-10 minutes warming up exercises, then I forward the video to the final demo from Dr. Lam, and together we perform the set 4-5 times (20-25 minutes). Then I continue with the QiGong exercise (5 minutes), and I finish with the warming exercises as winning exercises (5 minutes). From time to time I repeat all the lessons in order to be sure that I perform the exercises correctly. The music of the video is very good as well, very relaxing and it helps to the memorisation of the steps and breathing.

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121 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant, 20 Nov 2000

By A Customer

Ignore the title, this is Tai Chi for any age group. Paul Lam is a first class teacher and there are plenty of opportunities to practise as you learn. I already go to a Tai Chi class and this video helps me to remember and practise what I've learnt before my next live lesson. Plus this video was made to a very high technical standard. Makers of instructional videos, especially of the keep fit variety, could learn a lot from this one. It really is absolutely brilliant.

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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic place to start Tai Chi, 21 Sep 2004

By	Mark Clay (Havant, Hants United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

At the risk of sounding like a recording of the people above Im going to start but saying FORGET ABOUT THE AGE IN THE TITLE!!!.
Im not over 55 and I've just done the first hour of this video and thought it was wonderful. Actually Im 24 years old and I found this to be a great start to my day. I've only done the first hour but thats the beauty of this tape, its broken down into stages, each with a simple set of steps which anyone should be able to follow. You can stop at anytime and come back to where you left off or just start over. Theres even a great "warming up" part that I find some exercise videos are sadly lacking in. Even if you do have some trouble with the movements they are all repeated in such a way as to help with learning them, but not in a way which becomes boring. I highly recomend the video to people of ALL ages. I feel great! Anyone up for a jog?