Product: The Essence of Taiji Qigong (2005)
Rating: 5.0
Essence of Taiji Qigong
As a first time reviewer and having not taken any formal Qi Gong training, I felt this DVD might be too advanced for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised because it spoke clearly so even a novice, like myself, could understand and partake in the activities.The DVD is listed at the highest skill level (third) so the second time viewing it I tried doing several of the exercises; and it didn't take long to get the feel that this was truly an in-depth art form.As an aging 'baby boomer' I am searching for a type of exercise that is easy on my joints, yet effective with results. Qi Gong is the answer and I'm surprised that it (and Tai Chi) are not more popular. For myself, this practice is something I would want to do in private (or with a group that was doing the same thing) since the first series is learning the correct way to breath which, to an on-looker, can appear quite odd. However, Dr. Yang's explanations throughout are very clear and make a lot of sense. The goal being to regulate your body by being relaxed, centered, rooted and balanced.There are five sections to this course and each section is clearly presented. The participant can choose which component is beneficial to them; whether it be a posture towards the left, right or using a circular movement. Each movement is shown at two angles so it's easier to tell if what you're doing is correct.I definitely would recommend this video to all those wanting to learn about the Taijiquan form and I plan to incorporate this into my weekly routine.