Scott Cole: Discover Tai Chi For Beginners

The instructor does a good job. The cinematography at the end of the video gets too arty. When you are making a video for beginners or people returning to a practice after a long time away, we need to be able to see the leg movements, not just the upper body. Other than that I have no complaints.

As a newcomer to this type of exercise (a middle-aged woman someone who hasn't exercised regularly for a while), I went in search of a beginner's course in Tai Chi. All in all, Scott's approach to beginners is excellent. He moves slowly and gently and the explanations are clear. I am not ashamed to admit that I am directionally challenged and very poorly coordinated so I needed something that was this simple and direct. Because of this, I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the mirrored approach to instruction. I am a little over two weeks into this and other than hiking (which my schedule doesn't allow for regularly) and gardening (which is seasonal), this is the first form of exercise in some time that I've decided that I truly like. I am already seeing a little long-lost flexibility returning, slightly better muscle tone, and my lower back no longer hurts when I wake up in the morning. I've had to skip two days and have found that I really did miss it.That said, I have one--what is to me--important complaint and I hope that the powers that be are listening. In second half of the DVD when it moves into the more "advanced" moves (or the core of Tai Chi), the directors resort to what I can only describe as artsy-fartsy camera angles and for someone who is still relying on the leadership of the instructor and is not ready to work on their own, this not only distracting--it's frustrating. When they shift to rear or above angles, it's difficult to determine what direction I should be moving, whether we've changed sides, and how I should be standing. And when they pull in close for upper body shots, I lose track of where my feet should be. I've been doing this for just over two weeks now and continue to wrestle with this portion of the video. And while I recognize that it takes time to master Tai Chi and that I should probably be patient with myself (especially considering the above description), I think it bears mentioning. I hope if there is a remake of this video at some point, that they will take this onboard.

Scott Cole really does a good job on this DVD. He goes slow and his instructions are clear and concise. They are easy to follow. But in the second half after the instructions where he goes into the actual flow movement his camera person doesn't know what they are doing focusing close shots on his upper torso, his rear end, his hands, and face, or a side view of the movements and fading in and out with the camera. So it makes it difficult to follow. It's important to have a front view of the actual flow movements especially if you are just learning like I am, as in the first half of the DVD in order to make it easy to follow. It is too bad Mr. Cole didn't instruct his camera person who obviously does not not how to film an exercise DVD on the importance of filming a front full body exposure all the way through the movements. This is why I only gave it four stars.

This is one of Scott's first DVD that was used by our Discover Tai Chi Club at the 4 Season's. He's the best and explains every move in detail along with showing the moves. We use Scott Cole's DVD's every day, Monday to Friday and have over 70 members who show up according to the level they like to do. Among the other DVD's used are Disco DoJo, Claire's Chair Tai Chi, Everyday Tai Chi Workouts for Fitness, Back Care, Training and Weight Loss. Our Club has tried other instructors and we find Scott so easy to follow. This benefits all our members at different levels, makes them feel good and happy when they leave the 1 hour session. Thank you Scott, we love you!!

Good for beginners. But u will need lots of practice to learn forms. He emphasizes some of the balance moves which require you to stand on one leg and then the other or move back and forth on each leg. Excellent and more advanced that some of the other beginning DVD. Takes time to learn the moves but very instructive. Just need to be patient. You will learn the moves but it takes time and practice.

I have been using this DVD as a guide for several months now. I took the early potions of his exercises and shortened them to a realistic, low impact half hour routine. For the first time in decades I can bend and touch the floor which is awesome! And yes, I have suffered with back problems since the mid 80s.

I haven't done Tai Chi since college and was looking for a DVD to give me a step by step refresher. This video has lots of moves and is well put together, but it's tough to just follow in a "do this first, do this second" mode. Also, while the instructor shows everything just fine, it might have been helpful to have other participants at a different angle doing the moves at the same time. For example, I have some yoga disks that have the class facing you and the teacher facing sideways and I realize how helpful that is having seen a disk with just one instructor. Overall, I was able to use the DVD to get into a routine (I hope I am doing everything right; it seemed much easier with a younger body, that's for sure), but getting going was a bigger commitment than I thought it would be.

It is a great beginner video. I took Tai Chi years ago. This video starts you with movements that eventually you convert into Tai Chi movements. If you keep watching he moves into traditional tai chi postures and helps you pull everything together. I am 57 former athlete who hadn't exercised except walking my dog. I actually was sweating and realized how unfit I had become. He's encouraging and reminds you that you are a beginner. Balance and core!

I love Scott Cole's methods. I know not everyone agrees with him, but as with 'us all' - we have our own unique sense of style and interpretation. To me, he's got it spot on - with his OWN interpretation of tai chi he brings you into fluid motion. Easy, gentle yet highly effective. When you are finished, you have a sense of 'new breath' and centering. I also have his Tai Chi for Weight Loss DVD and CANT get enough of that one (I prefer it actually and then follow it with about 20-30 minutes of 'regular' tai chi). I think he's done a brilliant job and this can help those who are trying to gain or regain mobility, strength - but do not forget grounding and centering. Feeling like a 'new breath'. How you sit, your posture, how you move - gradually changes into better 'position' over all - in day to day activities. I encourage others to give this a try. He's perhaps one of the BEST insofar as VERY Easy to follow through out his instruction. ~You can do this by mirroring him - and he guides you VERY well. Those opposed to his methods to me, are opposed to the truth within tai chi. This is very helpful for sooo many reasons. I can now endure a great deal more (stamina, strength, endurance) and walk better because of Scott and his dvd's!! Highly recommend (and the Weight Loss Dvd!!)

This is an easy-to-follow DVD for beginners, and it is relaxing and nice to do. Unfortunately, there is no variation at all, so I frankly got bored with it very quickly, which is a shame since it is such a well-presented video. If you want to learn Tai Chi, however, I would recommend it as part of your library. You can add other DVDs to enhance the experience.

Too intense for me

The DVD arrived quickly and in good condition. As a complete beginner, I find the DVD easy to follow and would recommend it.

would not say this was for beginners, was looking for set practice routines but the are very long and repetitive.