Ageless Fitness • Gentle Tai Chi

Product Description

Winner of 1998 Mature Media Award.

The Gentle Tai Chi routine was developed at the St. Luke’s Center for Health and Well-Being, St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in response to the frustration felt by beginning students who wanted to learn tai chi, but found many of the traditional forms or routines too difficult to master. This routine allows participants to “feel” Relaxing quality of tai Chi without needing to concentrate on specific movements.

The routine is composed of 12 tai Chi movements that can be found throughout traditional taichi. They are also easy to learn. They are great for large group programs and can be used by all ages. Gentle Tai Chi A 42-minute tape which contains:

*Warm-up routine
*Detailed instruction of 12 traditional Tai Chi Movements
*Gentle Tai Chi Routine
*Seated version of the Gentle Tai Chi Routine

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Dagmar Munn is an enthusiastic instructor who guides viewers through a series fun and easy movements that are adapted from traditional Tai Chi. Although Munn’s routine could offer health benefits to anyone, it seems clear that her target audience is those who find strenuous exercise difficult, as she performs a few stretches and a short workout while seated. The warm-up section begins with a series of self-massages to improve flexibility and circulation, followed by Munn’s series of low-impact standing exercises. It takes her about six minutes to go through her entire routine, then she breaks it down into small steps with clear instructions. Throughout, a multitude of camera angles show exactly what’s going on. The simple movements are accentuated with Munn’s subtle tips on breathing and her lucid images for each movement, such as polishing a tabletop. It’s not orthodox tai chi by a long shot, but offers a thorough, simple workout for those who wish to keep moving without too much huffing and puffing. –Grant Balfour