T'ai Chi for Health: Yang Short Form 37 Form

Dunn's form is great, and it's beautiful to watch him, but if you've ever been to a Tai Chi (or a dance) class, you'll know that it's almost impossible to learn this sort of movement when the instructor is facing you, as is the case throughout the video. You really need to be behind the instructor so that your right is his/her right and vice versa. Also, and annoyingly, the run-through of the full form is photographed in such a way that you often can't see below Dunn's waist. Good art, I suppose, but worthless if you want to see the foot positions, which is a large part of what you're doing. A close up of the instructors face is of little or no use to me.

As an alternative, I'd suggest "Tai Chi with David Dorian Ross." This DVD has more of a hippie "vibe" to it, which will not sit well with the purists, but he shows you the movements from both the front and the back, and most importantly, presents the entire short form from the back -- just as you'd see it in class -- with the whole body visible. It's a much better video to learn Tai Chi than Dunn's.

Another great DVD for learning is "Tai Chi Chuan Yang Short Form," which isn't on Amazon, but you can get it[...]. This DVD is just a run through of the complete short form, but not only is the camera angle behind the instructor, but the instructor is facing a mirror, so you can see everything perfectly. This setup is perfect for learning the movements. It's spectacularly easy to follow, and you don't need any mirrors at all. On the down side, the instructor's form is far from perfect, and she uses a very upright style (which is fine for learning, especially if you're stiff). Also, there's no movement-by-movement instruction. Nonetheless, this is a great video for practicing the complete short form, just as if you were in class following along with the instructor.

The DVD is a good way to go over the moves. I would notrecommend it for someone who is not working with an instructor. But it is an outstanding addendum to a class or review for someone who needs a refresher.

As another reviewer pointed out, this is not an exercise video. It is an instructional video that divides into 4 parts. First, a demonstration of the form accompanied by a monologue about the history and purpose of T'ai Chi. Then, a long warmup with emphasis on introduction to the basic postures of the form. Third, 37 lessons divided into 49 parts. Finally, all the parts are again demonstrated in one continuous movement. At the very end of the video, Dunn states what he should have pointed out at the start: it takes 6 to 18 months to master the forms on the video. That would have alerted some of the people who made negative comments that this is not meant to be just an exercise video. The video accomplishes all it is meant to accomplish and I would have given it a 5 except there are lapses and slowness in places that become annoying.

I had the long form version on video tape originally, and to be honest with the business in my life, I rarely got beyond the warm up exercises...for gravity alone sufficed with what Terence was doing. I ordered the short form dvd after checking out various Tai Chi videos thru rental outlets. I have a past in martial arts, and understand the importance and thinking behind forms, the balance...and am happy to report that I am getting it. I do believe I would have stuck with it earlier had I got the short form right away.

For a more specific crit...its nice on one had that each movement introduced replays and replays til you get it, but it would be nice if there was an option where say perhaps three movements could play at a time consecutively; helping you piece movements together better. It is a hassle to get the remote after each movement and go to the next one. Also, while it is aesthetically cool to see Terence in the last section do the entire form with his Tai Chi outfit, and lights low...it would have been better for students to have had more lights in the production so there is no question to reminders of hand movements, distribution of weight and flow...etc.,

I read reviews before buying this one myself, and to the crit I read complaining of the music that plays along...I too am a musician, but ssheesh....get over it, or don't bother ever visiting any other country or culture. Should be able to rise above Terence's choice of music I would think.

I really liked the way he described everything. His warmth and gentleness was very pleasant and did not get old, on the contrary became more endearing with use. I am not an expert on ability, so I can say only that he seems to be very, very good at both doing and teaching this art.

Now I must say why I had to stop using his videotape (yes, it's that old). There is a synthesized soundtrack that slowly became unbearable to me. I really tried to do what he was saying, and this meant that I rewound the tape over and over again as I attempted to follow his instructions. Let me stop right here to state that I did not find his mixing up of left and right to be a problem: one viewing...yes; two viewings...a little clearer; three, four and five viewings...come on people, it's not an issue. Now back to what I was relating. The soundtrack: I am a musician, very sensitive to such things, so perhaps this will not be an issue with most of you--and I know the producers thought this would be a relaxing addition to the overall effect. However, in my case (and perhaps in the case of a small minority of you all) it ultimately became unbearable. I would like to go back to this recording if I could obtain a version without the pervasive, synthesized, 1970's "feel-good" sounds filling up the spaces between the instructions. Terry, can you help me on this?