Editorial Review:Amazon.com:While the title might seem like something more likely to be found on one of Letterman's Top 10 Lists ('Future Careers of Movie Has-Beens' or 'Reasons to Wear Pajamas in Public'),
David Carradine's Tai Chi Workout for Beginners is nothing if not completely serious. Carradine narrates and helps a certified tai chi instructor lead three students through the Chen style, considered by some to be the original style of tai chi. Against an ever-changing (and distracting) nature video backdrop, the 60-minute tape breaks the exercises into sections: 'Opening the Gates' loosens and warms major joints; 'Specific Health' movements relieve headaches or soothe joints, for instance; 'Stillness' harnesses the mind's powers; 'Linkage' shows how to combine the moves; and in 'Coil & Flow' you see how it's supposed to look once you know what you're doing. It'll take repeated viewings to master this ancient and complicated martial art- -the number one reason to own this video.
--Valerie J. Nelson
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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David Carradine's Star Trek
This has got to be the worst video I have ever seen. The ever changing back ground made me feel like I was watching a Star Trek movie. It looked like they were being beamed around everywhere. At times I felt sea sick. I was really looking forward to this tape. How disappointing it is.
Rating: 
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Much better form then from his Tai Chi attempt in 1987.
To start with I have taken martial art classes, not many, but a few months at a time several times in my life. I also took Tai Chi, the Yang short form for over a year while in my massage school. I was looking for a refresher, to learn more about the benefits & philosophy of the moves and/or other forms.
This is one of the better Tai Chi style videos I have tried. Some bored the ... out of me. I tried a 1987 one of David's that was horrid with everyone having no experience & horrible form including David.
Daivd does a much better job at narrating, telling you what the move is called, what to visualize, better on describing how to move, and the benefits for the body. The blue background to play videos was a nice artistic touch though it can be very distracting when trying to following along people's forms especially when the camera angle has them lined up almost right behind the other one.
They start with David leading the Asian-style slow, gentle stretching warm-up movements.
The camera kept cutting from person to person so that you couldn't focus well to really see which way to move your hands. They always showed David & the STUDENTS first & then Arnold Tayam LAST which is absurd. You'd want to learn from the most experienced, not the people who have sloppy form. The Lotus Kick was laughable. Instead of trying to kick the knee as high as you can to the extended arm at shoulder height to increase balance & muscle control, David & the other students all looked like they were in a Country music concert strumming/slapping their knee. The director also didn't show Arnold Tayam long enough & though it's good to see him from the back, they didn't show him from the front enough in the learning section.
Also I hate is that they show you the move doing it towards the left, then the right, then left, etc. many times. Why can't they show the left 3-5x in a row so that you can understand the nauances of exactly how to have your hand facing, etc. before doing it to the opposite side? Most fitness & etc. do that which annoys me.
I'm happy to report after they show each move several times, they put together all the movements together IN HALF TIME with the camera more focusing on Arnold.
After that they then show Arnold doing it regular speed from the back. They show him again in normal speed from the LEFT which was a VERY good idea. Left is easier to copy then facing front. I applaud that camera angle idea.
I should give this dvd less stars... I only did it the 1x because it was a rental from the library & I don't remember is this was a real form of real Tai Chi or BS. Considering his other videos, I say buyer beware.
Rating: 
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Easy to follow.
I bought this item several years ago but didn't take time to learn the movements and set it aside. I now have arthritis of the spine and neck and have quite a bit of pain. Tai Chi is often mentioned as a helpful method to reduce the pain of arthritis. So I tried again and I must say I'm amazed at how much this is helping me. The calming effect of the music and beautiful music plus the clarity of directions make it a winner for me. I use it about twice a day. It's the best I have seen and does help with the pain as much as anything has.
Rating: 
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Easy to follow at first....
I was encouraged by the beginner pace when I first began viewing this tape, but I found that as the video progressed, the movements were more difficult to follow. I am very familiar and comfortable with Chi Kung and was very interested in learning a Tai Chi form. I consider myself well coordinated and a fast learner. I've heard that you can't really learn Tai Chi from a video, but with my hectic schedule, I'm still hopeful I'll find the right video.
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This is the best!
I checked this video out of the library once when I was having severe muscle stiffness. I'm a mesomorph, and tend to get very musclebound when I train. When I saw it for sale, I had to have it!
The workout is not at all strenuous, but is excellent for joints, flexibility, and muscle tone. I like to use it in combination with Rodney Yee's "Yoga Conditoning for Athletes," on days when I don't train. I also recommend this tape to sedentary people, because the gentle, no-impact moves are excellent for circulation and stress relief --- plus they feel great!
If you're interested in learning classical Tai Chi as a martial art, the best thing to do is find a good (live) instructor. However, if you're looking for gentle exercises to improve flexibility, circulation, and muscle condition, this is one of the best workouts you can get.