Product Description Martial arts champion Tiffany Chen leads this low-impact workout designed for all ages. Bonuses: continuous loop option, mirrored instruction view, dual audio tracks. .com An old tradition meets new technology in Step by Step Tai Chi, a user-friendly, 88-minute (plus bonus material) program presented by martial arts champ Tiffany Chen. Also known as tai chi chuan, this "internal" or "soft" martial art has been around for a couple hundred years, and while it has steadily grown in popularity in the West, its still often demeaned as an "elderly persons exercise"--a notion that Chen aims to dispel, while emphasizing the use of tai chi to effectively relax, clear the mind, sharpen focus, and increase self-awareness. The practice she demonstrates, known as the "Yang style short form," consists of some 60 movements, organized here into eleven segments. Some of the movements have poetically descriptive names ("White Crane Spreads its Wing," "Retreat to Mountain Camp for Rematch," "Step Back to Drive the Monkey Away"), while others are more prosaic; virtually all of them are slow, involving subtle shifts of weight and balance, small steps forward and back and side to side, and graceful arm and hand movements. Chens instruction is good--clear, concise, and free of frills--but perhaps most impressive is the use of a variety of DVD features. The program can be viewed with the instruction turned off; the use of "mirrored" instruction is optional as well, and while each of the eleven segments is repeated twice (from slightly different angles and with different instructions each time) before moving on to the next, users can also opt for the continuous "loop" feature, in which a given segment is repeated indefinitely. Thats a good thing, as these movements are not easy; whats more, on initial viewing they dont seem so different from one another, so watching them again and again isnt merely useful, its vital. All in all, it may be that no fitness video, especially one devoted to a practice as subtle as tai chi, can take the place of actual, in-person instruction, but Step by Step Tai Chi is undoubtedly the next best thing. --Sam Graham
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Review An excellent example of good training technique and is a beautiful addition to any tai chi library. -- New Age RetailerWorth much more than the retail price of $19.99 -- Journal of Asian Arts See more
Reviews
3.9
All from verified purchases
B**S
Not for old people!
I have been turned off by other tai chi instructors who make it seem like tai chi is all about helping arthritis in old people. Tiffany is young and strong, and her instruction is both clear and deep. She goes through each form slowly so that you can learn it, and like other reviewers, I love the optional loop feature so you can repeat each form as learning it.I hesitated buying this because so many people said that hated the way the camera moves mid-move. It's true that it does, and perhaps that is distracting, but the flip side is that you also get to see that move from a new angle which can be helpful. The bottom line is, you are going to have trouble learning the moves at first no matter what, but after going through it a number of times with Tiffany, you will learn them great. I have.I love the setting and music, very peaceful.
E**.
Blogster.com/meditationbyeric
The DVD is for every level to experience, from beginners to the trained marshal artist. Grand Master's Chen's book, Body Mechanics of Tai Chi Chuan says, “in the heat of fighting, most martial artists find it difficult to keep calm and loose. The slow and even movements of Tai Chi Chuan tend to relax the body and mind, promoting the flow of vital energy (Chi) and relaxing stiffness with flexibility and good body coordination. This helps fighters to effectively reach the highest level in the art of self-defense.”The music is done quite well and compliments the video continuity, and cinematography. It is set in a breath taking mountain reign adding on to the high quality. The same warmth, compassion, and professionalism found in person at Grand Master's school is present in the program. The instruction taught in detail is what will make the public want to buy it. It offers excellent features, such as looping features which allow you to keep doing one section of the DVD repeatedly are amazing. To really learn this art, it must be done again and again, the looping feature grants this opportunity The DVD menus are easy to use creating lots of accessibility. Step-By-Step Tai Chi is also a meditation in motion, not just plain body mechanics. I recommend this DVD to any one who enjoys meditation .Even a pacifist will enjoy it. A moving meditation, present in the DVD offers “ focused mindfulness set” which creates a relaxed mind.. Meditation in motion offers many physical health opportunities. Yes, Tai Chi as well stills the mind, body, and spirit. The 60 movement form on this DVD is an entry to a higher level if the seeker goes for it. Nothing takes the place of a live teacher, however this is close.I'd like to personally thank Acacia and the Chen family for this work of art.To light and love. May your meditations bring joy, and happiness.To life, and peace.
G**3
Tiffany is the real deal!
Tiffany is the daughter of Grand-master William CC Chen. In the tradition of Tai Chi Ch'aun, this art has been passed to her from a great line of teachers. Master Chen was the protege of the late Professor Cheng Man-Ching (1902-1975) and has taught thousands the art of Tai Chi Ch'aun around the world. Master Yang Cheng-fu (1883-1936) was the teacher of Cheng Man-Ching. He had learned the Yang form from Pan-hou (1837-1892) and Chien-hou (1839-1917. The traceable lineage begins with the Chen family where Ch’en Ch’ang-hsien passed Tai Chi to his disciple Yang Lu-shan (1799-1872), where Pan-hou and Chien-hou had learned.When you learn from Tiffany, you are learning the age old style in it's purest form.
Y**W
Off To Goodwill Donation Pile
I was looking for a Tai Chi DVD that I could use at home for those days when I can't go out to the park to join other Tai Chi practitioners. I have followed various masters of different Tai Chi styles for a year and a half so I am familiar with both meditative and combat style Tai Chi. Since Tiffany Chen is daughter of a Tai Chi master and proclaims to be champion of Tai Chi push-hand competition, I bought this DVD with great expectations. I'm greatly disappointed. First, Tiffany's posture is very poor. She has a slouchy structure throughout the entire form, which is bad whether you're practicing Tai Chi for health or for martial applications. While Kung Fu and Qigong have a move called "swallowing the stomach" (i.e. sucking in your gut, arching the back while exhaling), this is a temporary post for the split-second that you punch downward (for groin strike) or push forward (to defend against a bear-hug attack), not a sustained post to be used in Tai Chi. A sustained slouch is bad for your spine and, if you're a martial artist, bad for fighting because it offers your opponent opportunities to uproot you. Second, Tiffany's movements seem stiff. One of Tai Chi's core principles is relaxation, which is key to the health aspect of the form as you condition your joints and channel your blood flow. In martial application, stiff arms will make it easy for your opponent to grab and throw you off balance. Third, in addition to her overall bad structure, the filming of the form emphasizes artful cinematography rather than instructional presentation. Even though the DVD menu has a so-called "mirror image" option, it is completely useless, as the camera is constantly panning and changing its angle, negating any beneficial effect of a mirrored version, which is supposed to simulate training mirror that one would see at a martial art or dance studio. For complete beginners doing Tai Chi for health, you're better off buying David Dorian Ross' instructional DVDs. If you're a yoga practitioner wanting to learn Tai Chi and to add grace to your movements, then I recommend Scott Cole's DVDs. If you're a martial artist wanting to learn Tai Chi moves that look like those of a Shaolin monk, then my highest recommendation goes to Dr. Yang Jwing Ming's DVDs. You can look up these guys on YouTube to see their moves and instructional styles before buying their DVDs, which is the due diligence I wish I had done prior to purchasing Tiffany Chen's DVD.
J**N
Heeft bijna alles, helaas 1 grote misser
Deze DVD heeft uitstekend instructies over de houdingen, de transities ertussen, waar je gewicht zou moeten zijn, wanneer inademen of uitademen. Heel mooi ingesproken. In deze gebieden, top kwaliteit, ben nog geen betere tegengekomen wat dit betreft.De misser is dat ze niets zegt over in welke richting je staat, en de camera positie verandert nogal vaak, waardoor het soms onmogelijk is om dat te weten - je staat aan het einde in single whip, maar kijk je nou naar het noorden? Of westen? Of noordwesten? Als ze maar zoiets als "facing northwest" aan haar woorden toegevoegd had!!
D**A
DVD
Ça sert a rien
E**S
Great Instructions
This DVD is meticulously programmed. It is sectioned and each section is played 3 times. Tai Chi is not the easiest discipline to learn and and I will need to practise and study this DVD for some time. Even so it is a challenge I am enjoying it.
A**X
Best Tai Chi video on the market
I have a couple of Tai Chi videos and I always finding myself coming back to this one. Really great.
D**A
Excellent if you want to learn Tai Chi form
I think some of the reviews are a bit hard on this DVD. It is definitely aimed at those who want to learn the Tai Chi sequence of flowing movements in order to perform the full sequence. Tiffany Chen demonstrates several separate segments repeating each three times with a different emphasis each time. The camera does follow a new body part each time but that is the point and I had no problem with the mirror presentation. The names of the poses appear on a list in between the segments. She stresses weight placement and all the other aspects so that you can end up performing perfectly if you have sufficient dedication since she also demonstrates the Yang Short Form. I have come to the conclusion that I may not ever learn the form and prefer doing the named movements separately off the discs that offer this approach or doing Qi Gong which tends to that method. Yet that is not a criticism of this DVD - my only problem with it is that she wears a grey track suit against a grey mountain background and I sometimes found it difficult to see the detail of her movements (hence 4stars). It all depends on your aim: I want something relatively easy to perform from the first attempt that provides Mindfulness in motion - rather than a slow ballet to learn. That might change in time as I am only just beginning.
Common Questions
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TrustScore 4.5 | 7,300+ reviews
Rajesh P.
Customer service was outstanding when I had questions about the product.
2 days ago
Anjali K.
The product quality is outstanding. Exactly what I needed for my work.
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She goes through each form slowly so that you can learn it, and like other reviewers, I love the optional loop feature so you can repeat each form as learning it.I hesitated buying this because so many people said that hated the way the camera moves mid-move. It's true that it does, and perhaps that is distracting, but the flip side is that you also get to see that move from a new angle which can be helpful. The bottom line is, you are going to have trouble learning the moves at first no matter what, but after going through it a number of times with Tiffany, you will learn them great. I have.I love the setting and music, very peaceful."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"4.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"E***."},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2015","name":"4.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Blogster.com/meditationbyeric\n \n","reviewBody":"The DVD is for every level to experience, from beginners to the trained marshal artist. Grand Master's Chen's book, Body Mechanics of Tai Chi Chuan says, “in the heat of fighting, most martial artists find it difficult to keep calm and loose. The slow and even movements of Tai Chi Chuan tend to relax the body and mind, promoting the flow of vital energy (Chi) and relaxing stiffness with flexibility and good body coordination. This helps fighters to effectively reach the highest level in the art of self-defense.”The music is done quite well and compliments the video continuity, and cinematography. It is set in a breath taking mountain reign adding on to the high quality. The same warmth, compassion, and professionalism found in person at Grand Master's school is present in the program. The instruction taught in detail is what will make the public want to buy it. It offers excellent features, such as looping features which allow you to keep doing one section of the DVD repeatedly are amazing. To really learn this art, it must be done again and again, the looping feature grants this opportunity The DVD menus are easy to use creating lots of accessibility. Step-By-Step Tai Chi is also a meditation in motion, not just plain body mechanics. I recommend this DVD to any one who enjoys meditation .Even a pacifist will enjoy it. A moving meditation, present in the DVD offers “ focused mindfulness set” which creates a relaxed mind.. Meditation in motion offers many physical health opportunities. Yes, Tai Chi as well stills the mind, body, and spirit. The 60 movement form on this DVD is an entry to a higher level if the seeker goes for it. Nothing takes the place of a live teacher, however this is close.I'd like to personally thank Acacia and the Chen family for this work of art.To light and love. May your meditations bring joy, and happiness.To life, and peace."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"G***3"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2016","name":"5.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Tiffany is the real deal!\n \n","reviewBody":"Tiffany is the daughter of Grand-master William CC Chen. In the tradition of Tai Chi Ch'aun, this art has been passed to her from a great line of teachers. Master Chen was the protege of the late Professor Cheng Man-Ching (1902-1975) and has taught thousands the art of Tai Chi Ch'aun around the world. Master Yang Cheng-fu (1883-1936) was the teacher of Cheng Man-Ching. He had learned the Yang form from Pan-hou (1837-1892) and Chien-hou (1839-1917. The traceable lineage begins with the Chen family where Ch’en Ch’ang-hsien passed Tai Chi to his disciple Yang Lu-shan (1799-1872), where Pan-hou and Chien-hou had learned.When you learn from Tiffany, you are learning the age old style in it's purest form."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"1.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Y***W"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2017","name":"1.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Off To Goodwill Donation Pile\n \n","reviewBody":"I was looking for a Tai Chi DVD that I could use at home for those days when I can't go out to the park to join other Tai Chi practitioners. I have followed various masters of different Tai Chi styles for a year and a half so I am familiar with both meditative and combat style Tai Chi. Since Tiffany Chen is daughter of a Tai Chi master and proclaims to be champion of Tai Chi push-hand competition, I bought this DVD with great expectations. I'm greatly disappointed. First, Tiffany's posture is very poor. She has a slouchy structure throughout the entire form, which is bad whether you're practicing Tai Chi for health or for martial applications. While Kung Fu and Qigong have a move called \"swallowing the stomach\" (i.e. sucking in your gut, arching the back while exhaling), this is a temporary post for the split-second that you punch downward (for groin strike) or push forward (to defend against a bear-hug attack), not a sustained post to be used in Tai Chi. A sustained slouch is bad for your spine and, if you're a martial artist, bad for fighting because it offers your opponent opportunities to uproot you. Second, Tiffany's movements seem stiff. One of Tai Chi's core principles is relaxation, which is key to the health aspect of the form as you condition your joints and channel your blood flow. In martial application, stiff arms will make it easy for your opponent to grab and throw you off balance. Third, in addition to her overall bad structure, the filming of the form emphasizes artful cinematography rather than instructional presentation. Even though the DVD menu has a so-called \"mirror image\" option, it is completely useless, as the camera is constantly panning and changing its angle, negating any beneficial effect of a mirrored version, which is supposed to simulate training mirror that one would see at a martial art or dance studio. For complete beginners doing Tai Chi for health, you're better off buying David Dorian Ross' instructional DVDs. If you're a yoga practitioner wanting to learn Tai Chi and to add grace to your movements, then I recommend Scott Cole's DVDs. If you're a martial artist wanting to learn Tai Chi moves that look like those of a Shaolin monk, then my highest recommendation goes to Dr. Yang Jwing Ming's DVDs. You can look up these guys on YouTube to see their moves and instructional styles before buying their DVDs, which is the due diligence I wish I had done prior to purchasing Tiffany Chen's DVD."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"4.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"J***N"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the Netherlands on March 9, 2021","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n Heeft bijna alles, helaas 1 grote misser\n \n \n","reviewBody":"Deze DVD heeft uitstekend instructies over de houdingen, de transities ertussen, waar je gewicht zou moeten zijn, wanneer inademen of uitademen. Heel mooi ingesproken. In deze gebieden, top kwaliteit, ben nog geen betere tegengekomen wat dit betreft.De misser is dat ze niets zegt over in welke richting je staat, en de camera positie verandert nogal vaak, waardoor het soms onmogelijk is om dat te weten - je staat aan het einde in single whip, maar kijk je nou naar het noorden? Of westen? Of noordwesten? Als ze maar zoiets als \"facing northwest\" aan haar woorden toegevoegd had!!"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"3.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"D***A"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in France on August 9, 2019","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n DVD\n \n \n","reviewBody":"Ça sert a rien"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"E***S"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2019","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Great Instructions\n \n","reviewBody":"This DVD is meticulously programmed. It is sectioned and each section is played 3 times. Tai Chi is not the easiest discipline to learn and and I will need to practise and study this DVD for some time. Even so it is a challenge I am enjoying it."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"A***X"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2013","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Best Tai Chi video on the market\n \n","reviewBody":"I have a couple of Tai Chi videos and I always finding myself coming back to this one. Really great."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"4.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"D***A"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2017","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Excellent if you want to learn Tai Chi form\n \n","reviewBody":"I think some of the reviews are a bit hard on this DVD. It is definitely aimed at those who want to learn the Tai Chi sequence of flowing movements in order to perform the full sequence. Tiffany Chen demonstrates several separate segments repeating each three times with a different emphasis each time. The camera does follow a new body part each time but that is the point and I had no problem with the mirror presentation. The names of the poses appear on a list in between the segments. She stresses weight placement and all the other aspects so that you can end up performing perfectly if you have sufficient dedication since she also demonstrates the Yang Short Form. I have come to the conclusion that I may not ever learn the form and prefer doing the named movements separately off the discs that offer this approach or doing Qi Gong which tends to that method. Yet that is not a criticism of this DVD - my only problem with it is that she wears a grey track suit against a grey mountain background and I sometimes found it difficult to see the detail of her movements (hence 4stars). It all depends on your aim: I want something relatively easy to perform from the first attempt that provides Mindfulness in motion - rather than a slow ballet to learn. That might change in time as I am only just beginning."}],"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":9}}
