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

I tried out the VHS version, while recovering from surgery that preempted my
usual exercise routine. I was so impressed with the straightforward presentation of the warm-ups that Mr. Dunn demonstrates and later the various Tai Chi forms, that I purchased the DVD. I am glad I did- now that I have recovered; I still use the video to supplement my daily exercises.

When I decided to begin studying and practicing Tai Chi, of course I first looked for a good school where I could go and get the benefit of a really good hands on teacher/class experience. I'm still looking becuase I know that's terribly important with something as complex as Tai Chi, but in the meanwhile I just really wanted to get started. My stepfather used to have these Terry Dunn sessions on VHS so I called to ask him about them and whether he'd recommend that for me - and whether I should start with short or long form. My ego thought long form sounded "cooler" but I'm glad he convinced me to start with this one! So I got it, took it home and watched it through first, which I always do with a new yoga or workout DVD. It seemed kind of bland and dated, in terms of the production value and music, but WHAT Terry had to say was amazing. Still, I wasn't really excited to start because it seemed a bit flat. Boy was I wrong! Once I got off my butt and did the warm up series with him, it was anything but boring. As a matter of fact, I was amazed that even with doing just the warmups I was hot, sweaty (rolling down my legs) and my leg muscles were completely fatigued as though I'd lifted weights for an hour. All the while I was calm, breathing deeply and never felt like I was straining or "working"...just flowing. And this is just the warm up section! I haven't even begun to do the step by step lesson that gets you into learning the actual form. In the warm up he has you do some things that mimick the actual form to get you loose and into your body, then he has you practice in repitition a few moves and stances that are the cornerstones of the form. That's where I got my butt kicked in the nicest possible way. I went to bed completely physically exhausted, but not drained. Just that wonderful feeling of having worked deeply and really enjoying the rest. I woke up this morning refreshed, happy, alert...not tired, sore and out of it like I usually do when I go back to weight training. It's amazing how working with your Chi changes the way the body responds to physicality! This is a wonderful home video with which to familiarize yourself with the basics, have a way to practice and build on actual live classes. I agree with Terry though, you want to use the DVDs as a support for classes, not a replacement. Still, this is a great place to start. As a long time yoga practitioner and Kundalini yoga teacher, I am already impressed with what I've experienced. He really gets you focusing on flow and innner work, so the quivering legs don't bother you! I'm looking forward to doing it again tonight, and going slowly as he suggests, practicing one or two moves for a while before moving on. Tai Chi is a process of learning that takes years to master, but every journey begins with a single step...this is a lovely, informative, safe and fascinating way to take that step.

This is an excellent teaching tool to learn the short form of Yang style.
It goes very slow as it should anyway and easy to follow.
The warm up excercises were new to me and I thoght they were excellent. This dvd is good for those who have already taken a class with an instructor in person and want to review what you already know.

I have been a professional martial arts instructor and pro trainer for 25 years. I have been producing and editing my own videos since 1995. Terry Dunn has been my inspirtation. His discriptions of technique is excellent and the production is very professional. I highly recommonend his work to anyone wishing to learn tai-chi where there is no instructor availble or as a refrence to class. GPG Middleton,ID

Enormous help in my daily practice. I'm really struggling in my classes and this is a great supplement to that.

Easy to follow instructions, loved it!