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Scott Cole's Discover Tai Chi for Beginners - Workout EssentialsRating:
Release Date: 07 May, 2002 Retail Price: $19.98 OUR Price: $14.99 You SAVE: $4.99! Cast: |
Scott Cole's Discover Tai Chi for Beginners - Workout Essentials Reviews
Beginning to exercise!
I am going to attempt to become more limber and graceful--I believe this video is a great beginning. Mr. Cole is certainly limber and extremely graceful. His explanations of the moves are helpful and the moves are quite easy to follow.
Wonderful Introduction
I give Scott 5 stars, but the DVD only 4, mostly for technical reasons. But first, the five star man: Scott Cole.
I bought this DVD in hopes to begin learning about Tai Chi. And that is absolutely what was delivered. At the time of purchase, I'd never heard of Scott Cole, and Tai Chi was a strange and mystical thing.
In trying Tai Chi, I wanted something to complement my daily brisk walking that was cheap and didn't require going anywhere or spandex. After a week of learning, and doing my best to follow Scott's program, I felt a definite extra jaunt in my walks, as well as more flexibility and energy. It delivered exactly what I had been looking for.
I feel after two weeks or so with it, I still have much to learn. Like Scott says in the DVD, time for my muscles to really learn everything. I think the biggest lack for me at this point is "grace". I'm still trying to get a good flow going while adhering to his instruction and demonstrations. I'm confident I'll eventually get it together, and like that Scott offers reassurance of this throughout the program.
Additionally, I did some research on Scott. Buried at his site, are some excerpts of articles he has written, as well as a personal biography. After reading through them, the sense of him as a genuine teacher I'd gained from the DVD, was made even stronger. Sure, I've no way of knowing if as soon as he's off camera he's demanding lattes in just the right way, but I get a sense from viewing the DVD and reading his articles, that he does genuinely love teaching others the knowledge he has gained.
I've read a lot of comments about Tai Chi being some holy thing that simply cannot be learned from a DVD or even a westerner. And to a certain extent, I had my own apprehensions about learning correct stuff. But already feeling the positive effects of Scott's DVD in my body and mind have silenced those doubts. From reading additional articles by and about Scott, it seems he's really just trying to demystify Tai Chi and introduce its elements to new audiences. He calls it Tai Chi _inspired_ movements. Given his history in physical fitness, I feel confident that he's delivering the goods.
Though I am brand spanking new to anything from the martial arts worlds, I have long studied the Tao. I was impressed by the mental and spiritual guidance and support Scott offers in the DVD as well. I feel it is at just the right level to acknowledge the philosophy behind the movements, but not all all distracting or intimidating to the new age phobic. I wish the DVD included a quote I read from Scott in an article written about meditation: "My imposter voice inside of me delivered disqualification's ranging from "Scott, you have never been to India" to "Scott, you're from Texas for God's sake."" He doesn't seem to have gone David Carradine on us, and never once uses the word grasshopper.
The only not so positive feedback I have about the DVD is technical. I watch it on my iBook, so I can make video clippings of certain parts to re-play as needed. However, the menu on the DVD strikes me as very confusing. For instance, I still struggle with certain movements, and would like to be able to see a menu of each move to go directly to it, much like a concert DVD has "track listing".
I was also disappointed with the empty DVD shell. The back had the standard marketing lingo, which wasn't terribly helpful to really know what was going on inside. I think a booklet with a message from Scott and some additional information would have been great. His site offers some good information, but does require some digging. I think it is key to know his history and his take on the series, and that is just not readily available.
There are also a few times when the video goes glam. Sure, Scott is pretty and in a pretty place, but the purpose of the DVD is to show the movements in the best angles for learning, not armchair tourism.
Overall, I am really happy with the purchase and could not recommend it more highly. Thanks to Scott for the benefits I'm already feeling.
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