David Carradine's Tai Chi for Body: Beginner's

If you've ever been curious about the health benefits of tai chi, the meditative martial art with legendary life-extending and energy-boosting powers, this video offers you an easy starting point. David Carradine and renowned master Arnold Tayam guide beginners through a thorough, 30-minute workout, beginning with simple stretches and gradually moving up to an abbreviated, easy-to-follow version of the whole tai chi form. Throughout, less emphasis is placed on the unusual names for the poses than on how they should feel on the inside and how they should look from the outside. The more complicated moves are shown repeatedly from different angles, sometimes shot from two positions at once to make it easier for viewers to follow at home. As well as showing the physical moves, Carradine's soothing narration guides students through the medical benefits of each exercise and the all-important inner visualizations that accompany each stance, from the careful pattern of breathing or an imaginary ball of glowing energy held between the hands. Hardcore martial artists might find the gentle pace of this video too easy-going for them, although the self-defense potential of some of the exercises is obvious. This workout (like its tranquil companion piece, Tai Chi for the Mind), isn't about tai chi as a fighting style; it's about a smooth, non-strenuous workout suitable for people of any age and in any physical condition. --Grant Balfour

- Amazon