Last updated:
21th March 2011

Having retired from very active jobs my wife and I needed an exercise form appropriate to our age and life style. First we tried to teach ourselves Tai Chi by DVD and then by attending classes. Being left unsatisfied by the first and confused by the second a friend introduced us to Stephen Luff's DVD. It is easy to follow and is just what a beginner needs to be able to practice the exercises and movements at home in between the weekly classes. Having now met and attended a session with Stephen I whole heartedly recommend this DVD to any beginner. The movements and the reasons for those movements are clearly explained. The instructor is filmed in a way that allows the viewer to see the whole of the movement, feet, body and arms. The accompanying commentary is excellent.

This beginners Tai-Chi DVD is extremely well designed and produced. The structure of the 'program' creates for a real and deep learning experience that many other DVDs fail to achieve. If you seek a practical and effective way to improve your health and well-being this DVD is a great investment and your time will be well spent in following Stephen's guidance and expertise!.

This is a really excellent DVD. Stephen Luff has a calm, clear and sensible approach to Tai Chi and a very pleasant voice - important when you are potentially watching a DVD over and over again. It could be used as a stand alone introduction to Tai Chi but, as he has developed his own version of the Form, might not suit anyone wanting to follow a defined set of moves as part of their night school class etc. 
I particularly liked the extras, and the Warming Up the Joints routine is fantastic. Works very gently, head to toe (literally) but in the calmest and easiest way imaginable. I have never before enjoyed a series of exercises to the point where I actually look forward to doing them, especially if I need to loosen tight muscles in the neck and shoulders. Within a few days, they were familiar enough to be able to do without reference to the DVD. 
I can't recommend this DVD enough. A friend bought a copy after simply watching the Warming Up routine, and I have just ordered another copy to give to a relative - again mainly for the exercise routine. 
I have been loaned three other Tai Chi videos, none of which suited me. This one I bought after reading the reviews on Amazon.

This is a great DVD to start learning Tai Chi. I have had three operations on my lower back and was finding it hard to get around and my posture was bad but after doing beginner Tai Chi with Stephen I have found that my walking has improved and my posture is alot better. When I do the Tai Chi I feel very relaxed and so much better and find my back isn't so tight. I would recomend this video to anyone.

Zen Chestnuts Reviews

I've now had a chance to look at the DVD, and enjoyed it very much. It's very well put together, both in vision and sound (nicely balanced) - the Tai Chi and the scenery are beautiful too.

 
Since I started teaching, I have been looking for ways to keep the enjoyable feeling in formwork, and not to overface students with too much detail, too soon. I teach a much simpler Sun style form to my beginners, but, for some, I feel the detail can still present a problem. I would like them to try this form to see if it's simplicity helps them not only with their feeling for the form, but also with thinking their way through it, and learning how to remember the sequences.
 
Your demonstrations of subsequent (intermediate) forms could be very inspiring (and helpful) for students of any standard, and I shall have no hesitation in recommending your Dvd to anyone in my classes who inquires.
 
Many thanks,
 
Lesley Maud.

I have bought a number of Tai chi DVDs and I can say this is so far the best I’ve come across. It has very clear instructions and I particularly like the fact that it’s not too intimidating for beginners and at the same time not too slow as to put one off.

I find the routine very effective to bring about relaxation and focus and the techniques are easily performed.

The constant reminder to relax and extra exercise tips are very useful as I find that I tend to tense up while trying to follow the routine.

Thank you for producing this DVD, Stephen. I look forward to the next version of Tai Chi DVD soon!

Serene Tan (from Australia)