Product: Sunrise Tai Chi (2005)
Rating: 5.0
Outstanding in Every Way
I bought the Sunrise Tai-Chi, Sunset Tai Chi, and Tai-Chi Energy Patterns DVDs as well as the Sunrise Tai Chi book several weeks ago. So far, I've read several chapters of the Sunrise Tai-Chi book. It's well written and reinforces the DVD of the same name. I've also used either the Sunrise Tai Chi or Tai-Chi Energy Patterns DVD every day. Both DVDs are excellently produced and convenient to use, with an well organized system of menus and submenus.The Sunrise DVD contains instructional sections that walk you step by step through each and every exercise, demonstrations that show you how it's done by a master, and complete workouts of varying length . So far, with Sunrise Tai-Chi I've been following along every day with the instructional parts up to the Tai-Chi movements, which I don't think I'm ready for quite yet.Mr. Rones stresses the need to master the foundations -- basically Qi Gong exercises -- before moving on. He's right. It would be a waste, maybe injurious to proceed too quickly. I find I'learn something new each time I listen to Mr. Rones explain an exercise and then do it myself. I often repeat the same exercise several times. The movements, breathing, and visualization fee great, both physically and mentally. I finish -- after about 60-90 minutes -- feeling great: energized, calm, happy and strong.I'm 66 and have exercised all my life. Before begining on the Qi Gong/Tai-Chi path, I had been doing a variety of bodyweight and stretching exercises, in part for general fitness and in part to deal with fairly serious lower back/sciatica issues. I was pretty limber and strong to begin with. But I find that these videos have these videos have been extremely helpful, leading me to stretch and strengthen parts of my body that it seems I hadn't much used before. I find I'm standing straighter, walking more gracefully and my back and leg pain has improved greatly, and sometimes is nonexistent, for a while at least -- for the first time in about a year. That's really a big deal for me. I am looking forward to beginning to learn the Tai Chi movements.Mr. Rones is a great teacher and I have found both this video and the Energy Patterns one to be a wonderful way to start learning Qi Gong/Tai-Chi. Next best thing to studying in person with Mr. Rones.I heartily recommend his videos and books. Just take your time, follow along carefully, mindfully, and patiently, learn step by step, and enjoy the journey. You will benefit.