Editorial Review

While the title might seem like something more likely to be found on oneof Letterman's Top 10 Lists ("Future Careers of Movie Has-Beens" or"Reasons to Wear Pajamas in Public"), Read more

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Reviews (28)

David Carradine's Star Trek
This has got to be the worst video I have ever seen.The ever changing back ground made me feel like I was watching a Star Trek movie.It looked like they were being beamed around everywhere.At times I felt sea sick.I was really looking forward to this tape.How disappointing it is.

Much better form then from his Tai Chi attempt in 1987.
To start with I have taken martial art classes, not many, but a few months at a time several times in my life. I also took Tai Chi, the Yang short form for over a year while in my massage school. I was looking for a refresher, to learn more about the benefits & philosophy of the moves and/or other forms.
Easy to follow.
I bought this item several years ago but didn't take time to learn the movements and set it aside.I now have arthritis of the spine and neck and have quite a bit of pain.Tai Chi is often mentioned as a helpful method to reduce the pain of arthritis.So I tried again and I must say I'm amazed at how much this is helping me.The calming effect of the music and beautiful music plus the clarity of directions make it a winner for me.I use it about twice a day.It's the best I have seen and does help with the pain as much as anything has. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise/Fitness    3. Fitness    4. Fitness/Self-Help    5. Movie   

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Reviews (5)

Review of David Carradine's Tai Chi For Mind & Body
This two-video set combines the best of David's presentation-style, with Arnold Tayam's information on Chen-style Tai Chi! This along with fine production-values featuring music by John Serrie makes this box-set a winner! A great addition to David Carradine's "Chi Kung For Beginners" and David Carradine's "Tai Chi Workout For Beginners"

I have to say I wanted to hate this video
I have to say I wanted to hate this video. I mean David Carradine, b-movie actor, chinese wannabe, 1970's kung-fu guy ...who would have thought this video would be anything other than a joke. But....I was forced to eat my words, and feelings. The video, most likley do to Arnold Taiam and his direct connection to Real Chi Gong and Kung Fu, actually make a good , easy to follow, video that is more than benificial to the viewer than 90 percent of the other videos ive seen on the topic. Kung Fuy
This guy really irks me; always trying to pass himself off as a Martial Artist just because he starred in the TV series "Kung Fu". He's a joke in the Martial arts community. His forms are atrocious, and his advice should never be listened to. ... Read more

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Reviews (10)

Not a bad little tape.
For beginners it is a very good tape.
Great introduction to chi kung
This is the video that really got me interested in chi kung.It starts with an a short history and explanation of chi kung.The rest is divided into sections.For anyone who enjoyed the video there is a companion book "David Carradine's Introduction to Chi Kung".The book has a six month program using exercises from both the book and the video.

It made me feel great
This video is great. As soon I started doing it, I felt peaceful and calm. It relaxes all the muscle joints, loosensyour body and purifies your mind. It has various parts which the viewer can do at their own preferenceandfitness level. The program does not require for people do be anyphysical condition or health, even though someparts warn thepractitioners not to follow for various reasons. I am a martial artsstudent and I find this videoespecially helpful for relaxation andstretching. My wife and I also use it to tap into the inner energy and to learn the briefing techniques. There are other various self curingexercises and movements, which we also foundto be of a great value.Overall it is an excellent, easy to follow video and I would highlyrecommend it toanyone. ... Read more

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Reviews (7)

Excellent tape!
David Carradine put together a very good video here.
Sloppy form - sad to say
I was very disappointed in the sloppy form (from the stretching exercises to the combination exercises). I expected a Master of Kung Fu to be consistent about every body movement. The stretching exercises were incredibly sloppy and demonstrated not by Carradine but by the students, maybe Carradine can't do the exercises anymore. I would recommend Rodney Yee's "Yoga for Strength" to see the proper form for most of the stretching exercises. I'll keep looking for a Kung Fu instructional tape showing correct form. As for Carradine's Tai Chi tape to accompany the Kung Fu tape, I much prefer Terry Dunn's Tai Chi. For the simple and important reason, NO SLOPPY MOVEMENTS.

A Real Martial Art Workout
I have studied the martial arts for 21 years. This video provides an excellent workout for the martial artist in every sense! The extremely thorough stretching routine insure that no injury will occur, and thestances and basic run through on the punches and kicks allow thepractitioner to become totally familiar with the basic techniques beforeputting them together in the combination excercises (similar to katas, orprograms for the Karate or Tae Kwon Do students out there). In his book"The Spirit of Shaolin" David Carradine said that this was the"yin" (hard) of the two videos (the Tai Chi being the"yang" or "soft") and that it is challenging and evenvigorous. I agree with this assesment and must give it my highest rating. of five stars. I expect to be using this video for a long time to come, andwill definately purchase another one when this one wears out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise/Fitness    3. Fitness    4. Fitness/Self-Help    5. Movie   

Editorial Review

Actor David Carradine credits the Chinese martial arts with keeping him "strong, inside and out." This routine is based on teachings of monks of the Shaolin temple in Northern China who were known for their boxing ability. It's not at all the kind of kickboxing class that you find in health clubs and on most other kickboxing videos, with uptempo music and an energetic instructor teaching combo routines. Rather, this is a slow, careful study of kickboxing techniques and how to train your muscles to do them. It is not an aerobic workout, but it will build muscle endurance and power. Carradine explains each technique carefully and thoroughly as he and his three expert assistants perform each move many times. The 40-minute program is divided into five components, each inspired by the movements of an animal: snake--a long, fluid warm-up and flexibility segment where you hold a posture, then slide gracefully into the next one; crane--kicking and balance where you hold onto a chair for balance and practice kicks, paying attention to technique; leopard--punching and power, which involves learning the proper form for a variety of punches to practice them; tiger--isometrics and stretch; and dragon--a cool-down and internal energy, with visualization. Read more

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Reviews (4)

Shaolin Snooze Box
This has got to be the worst workout tape I've ever used. The title is completely misleading. This was a very slow-paced workout with no cardio whatsoever. Don't buy this if you want to work up a good sweat.

Carradine scores another Knockout
I feel that this is David's best produced and most beneficial workout tape to date. Producer Nakahara did an outstanding job with this one, in a fluidly photographed instructional video that is easy on the eyes. Mr. Carradine, Sifu Marshall, and three other martial artists take the viewer on a step by step approach to Shaolin kickboxing that is easy to learn (With terrific rear view shots of Sifu Marshall that make the moves simple to follow) and gives one a good and heavy sweat upon completion. Mr. Carradine is now in his sixties, but you wouldn't know it by the condition that he's in.He is in tremendous fighting trim and looks great! You'll really learn how to punch, block, and kick after a workout on this baby. Five Big Stars!

Good exercise video for beginners
It is an excellent exercise tape from the standpoint of stretching, strenghtening, balance, cool down and instructions for beginners.The problem is the title says cardio and I didn't get much of a workout in thatarea.I hope they come out with a companion tape that goes further in thecardio area.Read more

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Reviews (2)

Beginners series - But needs an intermediate follow-up
I had been looking for a good "body-weight" or Dynamic tension exercise program for some time. I had previously seen and used Harry Wong's "Dynamic Tension" book and video, but there were some gaps in the training that weren't made clear. So, I decided to take a chance on this video.
Outstanding
It took me two years to fully appreciate the hidden gifts of this excellent Shaolin workout. The narration by David is refreshing and the forms by the Sifus are spectacular. This is an award winning training aid. A must for any Hung Gar student. ... Read more

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Reviews (13)

The Master was excellent...
...Too bad almost everyone else in the video was NOT, and that the producer and cameramen didn't know what they were doing. If you do the warm ups slowly and carefully (in spite of the complaints about this video's lack of warm ups, the whole first section of the video is nothing but) and then follow the master's moves ONLY, as shown later on in the video, you will build your Chi. I gave this 3 stars because this was the first video workout I ever attempted that actually helped me feel the Chi (regular practitioners will know what I'm talking about); the master was that good. DO NOT FOLLOW THE MOVES OF THE OTHER STUDENTS- MOST WERE CLUELESS AND MAY INJURE THE PURITY OF YOUR OWN PRACTICE.

HORRIBLE FORM!!!!
To start with I have taken martial art classes, not many, but a few months at a time several times in my life. I also took Tai Chi while in my massage school for three semesters. I was looking for a refresher & to keep going & learn the final moves on the Yang short form. I was also looking to learn any other forms, the philosophy behind it & all the details possible that I might not have gotten in class.
Reviewers should get thier facts right before they mock.
Check out the review by "quickhappy" dated 15th September 2000.
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Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise/Fitness    3. Fitness    4. Fitness/Self-Help    5. Movie   

Editorial Review

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, Read more

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Try something else
This video (note, only 30 minutes long) suffers from poor camera work...angles from the rear are rare and make the forms tough to follow. keep making videos David your a great instructor
This is one of Davids best.I had the opportunity to study with David in October and bought all his new tapes.This TApe is fast moving easy to follw and it has comitted me to the practice of the arts like no sensee orteacher has ever done.Keep making tapes David ,see you at Omega inOctober.Mike D. ... Read more

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Reviews (3)

A well-produced video, well-rounded exercise program
First let me disclose that I have seen about a couple dozen exercise and martial arts instructional videos in my life and I am by no means athletic. I have mostly been uninterested in exercise in my life. From that point of view, I have found this video very useful. This is a wonderful workout with a chi-gung section ,great
I have been trying to get comitted to the Marshall arts for 17 years With varring levels of success. This tape along with spending a weekend with David C.and Mike M.have given me a comittment that no other sensee has beenable to do. The tape is fast moving and effective in its purpose.TheChi-Gung section is ecceptional for its effect and ease in following.Keepmaking tapes David at 60 + you are a credit to the art.

Not at all useful.
The tape is not at all useful. It is difficult to learn Tai Chi from a tape and impossible to learn it from this one. The style is not well know in the US. The tape is not presented in a manner conducive to learning. Themost popular Tai Chi style in the US is the Yang style. If you wish to tryto learn Tai Chi from a tape, try "Tai Chi for Health" with TerryDunn. The tape first shows the entire short form with a brief history ofthe art. That is followed with step-by-step instructions. The tape endswith the entire form again. I learned the sequence in about 4 months ofintermittent study but constant practice. It is a nice form. I prefer towork with an instructor. He/she can explain more details and watch yourform. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Fitness    3. Fitness/Self-Help    4. Movie   

Editorial Review

If you've ever been curious about the health benefits of the meditative martial art tai chi but felt intimidated by its exotic origin or combat-oriented roots, then this video could be the introduction for you. In this 30-minute workout, David Carradine and tai chi master Arnold Tayam lead beginners through simple stretches and gentle moves designed to eliminate stress and clear the mind while toning and relaxing the body. The pace is slow and non-strenuous, and postures are shown from different angles--sometimes two angles simultaneously--making it especially easy to follow the moves while concentrating on feelings of openness and relaxation.Carradine's narration also describes the internal visualizations (such as drawing energy up from the ground, or pushing a ball of force away from the body), which reveal the inner logic behind each stance. Some viewers may find the production values a bit distracting, as a satin-clad Carradine moves somberly to the mellow tones of the New Age bamboo flute soundtrack, and those with experience in other martial arts might find his approach too basic. Beginners of all ages, however, will definitely find these entry-level lessons (like the more physically oriented moves presented on its companion piece, Read more

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Money better spent elsewhere
I found the video hard to follow and annoyingly cheesy. Carradine'sridiculous shiny blue suit distracts one from the moves, which are poorlyshot, as if the production of the show was more important than teaching themoves. This is not a serious Tai Chi lesson. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise/Fitness    3. Fitness    4. Fitness/Self-Help    5. Movie