TAI CHI & QI GONG BASICS

It will be important to have other sources of information on the subject besides this video, but it is well done. The movements are graceful and simply explained though to really capture the nuances you will have to experience them and practice them. There was some carping in one of the reviews I read before purchasing that his wife's moves did not exactly match his...that's perfectly OK. Things like that are matters of style and personal preference. The Key to QI Gong is about being loose, limber, relaxed, at ease, and at peace, so you can FLOW. Matthew's dedication to teaching about something he aspires to be good at and cares about is quite clear. He seems to have found a very good partner for helping with this chosen profession in his wife. The video producer also seems to have done a good job in helping establish the "environmental feel" for QI GONG exercises. I also like the sound track for that part of the disk. I have not watched the Tai Chi portion that much, but the two systems are related and I may eventually move on to the Tai Chi forms once I have mastered the QI GONG ones first. There are actually hundreds of forms in these systems and there are even different kinds of systems within the same category because the families that developed these systems added their own variations depending on who their teachers were and the insights they gained during their learning practice. Eventually, you may want to venture into improvisation of your own specific forms once you have learned the basics. Matthew has been most helpful in condensing all the possibilities into some very practical fundamental ones that coordinate together like the series of steps in a well choreographed dance. Enjoy the Flow!

First off:This DVD is not, I repeat, not for anyone that has any real Tai Chi practice under their belt. I have had very limited instruction, and I was disappointed with the Tai Chi form presented as the "third" exercise of this disk. My most rudimentary Tai Chi DVD presented a better form in the first 5 minutes.But, having said that, there is one overriding feature of this DVD that makes it a must buy for anyone wanting to incorporate some Tai Chi and Qi Gong elements into their daily fitness routine. (Or that has any interest in learning Tai Chi or Qi Gong) Matt Cohen teaches the entire routine in mirror image poses.OK, what does that mean?Watch most every other workout, or Tai Chi DVD. The overwhelming majority of the time as you perform the moves, you "mirror" the instructor in screen. That means when they say lift the right arm, you end up lifting the left arm because it is on the same side as the person in the screen. Matthew Cohen takes this very common and normal human behavior into account, showing the left leg forward, but saying right leg, etc... This makes it about a million times easier to follow the routine then I have ever experienced before. Absolutely zero eye muscle confusion based on what I was seeing on screen.Another additional benefit, the first two sections of the Tai Chi exercise have in the short time I have owned this DVD, replaced my stretching and warm up routines. In a few short minutes, I feel like I am more then ready to take on any number of strenuous exercise in only about 5 minutes. That works for me, cannot speak for anyone else.

My wife and I got this to learn and practice these arts at home. The narrator started as a combat martial artist and got into these forms later.He does a good job of walking you through the routines. His voice and demeanor are calm and authoritative. The music is tranquil and the settings are modern and altogether appropriate (tai chi is in a studio and solo; qi gong is outdoors and with a partner).There are times that I wish he performed with his back to the camera, or if they provided a split screen or inset, so you can follow his routines better, rather than trying to do the mirror opposite.Nevertheless, it's a good DVD that got me interested in practicing more, and that I can pop in whenever I'm feeling stressed.

Agree with "A Reader." Cohen is by every indication a wonderful teacher, one we'd all be fortunate to work with in person, and I probably use the older "Fire and Water" DVD six times a week.When I bought this new DVD I knew part of it included pre-released materials. But I thought Acacia, Mr Cohen and the producers might have reworked that material in some fashion -- perhaps blending elements of "Fire" and "Water" practices into one? I had no idea -- instead simply of lifting half of "Fire and Water" and copying it here.It's additionally disappointing that the production quality of the newer Tai Chi segment is lower than that of the prior disc. It's shot inside, not in the glorious setting of the older DVD, which is fine. But the visual direction and sound quality is lower. Worse, the three-step process for repeating the moves of and entering into what is a very short Tai Chi routine seems frankly like filler. To be blunt, the Tai Chi segment feels glib. I would have gained much more from a disc entirely devoted to deeper exploration of more Tai Chi principles and moves. The interview with Cohen is great, but also has a could-have-been-free-on-You-Tube quality as well.I can live this time with giving my money to support this terrific teacher. But I'll be much more careful with my next Acacia product and other productions in which Mr Cohen participates; much less willing to support the cynical decision to recycle in the worst possible way.

I have tried to learn Tai Chi and did a little Qi Gong before I bought this DVD. I first tried a copy from the library and really liked it. I guess it is very basic but I have no motor memory so that is where I operate. It has good music and a nice background. It was easy to learn and now I do Qi Gong every morning on my own. I haven't done a lot with Tai Chi part but it too is basic but at a level I can manage. I am recommending it to my friends but people who are natural with this might find it too simpleAlso, it cost less than one lesson.

I already owned Matthew Cohen's Fire and Water DVD and, because I like his calm method of teaching and the careful reminders about breathing and position, I sent for this one. There are 2 sections: Tai Chi and Qui Gong. I did the first which takes each move separately, then repeats, then puts them together as a flowing sequence. So far so good. When I came to do the second, it had a familiar feel and look. He stands on a mountain with a female partners and goes through various individual moves with, it must be said, rather intrusive music. It is identical to or at least very similar indeed to the Water section of the other DVD. I think this is something of a cheat even at the low price I paid. Had I known it I would not have bought this "Basics" DVD. The Tai Chi part is less satisfying anyway and he seems more at ease with Qi Gong. My advice is: don't buy them both as I did. My preference is for Fire and Water and choose another Tai Chi one such as that by Scott Cole.

It is very good, takes you through things at a steady pace. Well demonstrated and Mathew Cohen is very soothing

THIS IS A GOOD DVD TO START YOU OFF ,OR REFRESH YOUR TECHNIQUES ,I HAVE NOT DONE QI GONG FOR A WHILE SO THIS WILL BE GREAT TO GET ME ON TRACK AGAIN.

Great DVD for me as a beginner.

Die DVD eignet sich ganz gut zum mitüben, die Synchronisation passt teils nicht unbedingt, OV ist besser. Man hat ca. 30 Minuten Tai Chi und ca. 40 Minuten Qi Gong. Besonders der Qi Gong-Teil ist sehr entspannend. Hauptgrund für den Kauf war der Tai Chi-Teil. Hier lernt man die Grundpositionen und Varianten kennen. Ich finde die DVD gut, habe aber keine Vergleiche.