Starring: Scott Cole
Encoding: Region 1
Format: Color, Fullscreen
Rated: NR
Studio: Goldhil Home Media I
DVD Release Date: May 7, 2002

DVD
Tai Chi in the official Chinese Pin Yin is known as Taiji, and its proper name is Tai Chi Chuan (taijiquan). Chinese words that end in quan or Chuan (which means 'fist' in Chinese) are a form of martial art. Tai Chi is a philosophical term in Chinese and means "supreme ultimate of ultimates."

Tai Chi is a discipline that can keep you healthy and happy. It connects body and mind in relaxing and fun movements that promote health and fitness. It has been suggested in studies that it can improve conditions of arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems and other chronic illnesses. It can also improve your balance, posture while lessening depression and stress.

This video shows Tai Chi as taught and performed by wellness veteran and Tai Chi expert, Scott Cole. In his private studio and outdoors in Hawaii, he guides you through a program of postures, philosophies and movements designed to enhance your strength, flexibility and vitality. Created for beginners the easy-to-follow program illustrates fifteen dynamic movements including: Traditional Yang Opening, Snake Creeps Down, Fighting Tiger, Brush Push, Playing the Pi Pa and Wave Hands Like Clouds.

If you need a workout that is not too physically demanding, this is a good program to try. But this is not pure Tai Chi as the movements are performed differently by Cole than by traditional Tai Chi teachers. Paul Lam's "Tai Chi For Beginners" is a better place to start if you want to learn the form of the traditional style. Lam's DVD is detailed and precise about the form and movement. Cole's DVD offers a good motivated workout however, using low impact techniques in a beautiful setting.

VIDEO
Clean and clear, good colors as one would expect from a new production. Beautiful setting of Hawaii.

AUDIO
Dolby Digitial 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 with good definition. Dolby 2.0 is the default.

MENU
Interactive full motion menus with scene select of all the various movements designed to lose weight and stay healthy.

- Introduction
- Play
- Scene Selection
- Special Features
- Audio Features

EXTRAS
All except the workout section are text based and 51 pages in all. The nutrition guide reinforces the belief that exercise and proper eating go hand in hand with good health. That five small meals are better than 3 to increase metabolism. The importance of 120 oz. of water daily. Low sugar and salt intake. A regimen of vitamins and essential oils. How to read food labels to get the hidden numbers. How to cook and be motivated to stay on the plan which is an accomplishment in itself. He is very strict on his dietary intake and I'm not sure how many people can live on rice cakes, soybeans, soy yogurt, tofu, Egg Beaters, soy milk and Hummus. But, all in all, a good presentation of healthy guides to go by.

Nutrition Guide
- Nutrition a la Scott
- Path of Least Resistance
- 5 Steps to Increasing Metabolism
- Cooking Tips
- Motivational Tips
- Label Reading
- Dining Out

Food Menu
Keeping in line with his philosophy that several small meals are better than three big ones, Scott presents us with a daily food menu for the whole week consisting of five portions a day.

Hawaii Workout to Music
A total performance of the workout to music done on a beach in Hawaii.

SUMMARY
More of a workout video using a modification of the traditional Tai Chi movements at a much faster pace, Scott Cole does effectively give you a program designed to help you lose weight and become fit. Rent it.