Steadiness & Power Workouts for Seniors: 9 Practices, with Conventional Workouts, Tai Chi, Yoga & Dance Based mostly Actions.

Great for Limited Area, Space, or Room
I tried to remember all of the ‘key’ words that I used when I was trying to find out how much space the Tai Chi portion of this video requires and put them in the heading of this review in case anybody has the same question that I had. I ended up having to ask Jane (yes, the instructor) and she wrote back the next day (which was a weekend)! This was her response:That’s a good question. In the tai chi part, we walk forward and back 4 steps, and side to side 4 steps. So you’ll want enough space cleared away from your TV to walk towards it 4 good steps and still be able to see the TV.In the Stepping and Walking Balance section that is done without a chair, we walk around the room. If you’ve created enough space for the tai chi you should have plenty of room for this.Stay well,Jane AdamsI’ve been working out for about 6 months now (hand weights, barre, ab work, upper/lower body strengthening, aerobics, step-aerobics, and even kick-boxing). So, I am pretty happy with the condition that I’ve got myself back into. I was starting to feel like I was over working out, though. So, I decided to add some balance and flexibility work to my exercises. I needed something ‘gentle’ on my body. I did some research and decided to alternate between yoga and Tai Chi (doing one one day a week and the other one day of the next week). My research showed that Tai Chi was going to take up a lot of space (15′ across and 10′ deep) for most of the DVDs. So, I wrote to Jane. This DVD workout takes up substantially less space. I’ve received it and done the the Tai-Chi Full-Body Mobility portion and viewed the Practice the 8 Forms portions. So, I’ve verified that it does take four steps wide and four steps deep. You travel back the same direction you came from, so four steps is the total space you need (rather than 4 to one side and then 4 to the other – it’s not 8 steps). I hope that makes sense. I found the portion that I did to be relaxing and my body felt good afterwards. I think I made the right choice in adding this DVD workout to my routine and I look forward to learning the 8 forms. I was surprised that moves that go so slowly would challenge my coordination. I found myself not being able to ‘space out’. I actually had to pay attention. I think this will be good for my mind as well as my body.Note: The Tai Chi is last on the menu list. When you click on it, it will open your Tai Chi menu choices. I noticed some reviewers seemed to have trouble finding this portion of the video.Also, some reviewers noted that when Jane says right foot, she steps with her left and were having problems with following her directions. I don’t have any problems with this, because it is the same way in all of my workout DVDs. Basically, if you worked out in front of a mirror, that’s what you’re seeing (except it’s Jane). So, you just always step the direction she’s going – like when you dance with a partner. The man (doing a waltz, for instance) might step with his left leg while the woman steps with her right – it’s opposite legs, but you both move the same direction. Don’t overthink it – just follow what she says and does, and it will come automatically. It’s so that you don’t have to reverse the instructions or image in your mind in order to perform the moves. I suspect those that were confused are new to exercise that involves an instructor (in a class or on a DVD). Most people won’t even think about it.

Excellent Exercises for Seniors at a Good Price
This is one of the best exercise dvds that I’ve ever used, and wonderful for seniors. When you are getting older, exercising can be difficult, but these exercises range from easy to challenging. The balance exercises are particularly important at this time of life. The weight exercises are ones that are also very useful.There is much variety and you get a lot for the price. It’s also uplifiting to have the beautiful Glacier Park scenery as background.Jane Adams explains and demonstrates each move clearly. I would recommend these exercises for the average out-of-shape older adult.If you are a veteran exerciser or athlete, this dvd might not be the best fit for you. However, the balance and tai chi moves might be new and beneficial to even long-time exercisers.

Easy
Great fun.

BALANCE AND STRENGTH HAS ALREADY IMPROVED AND IT IS ENJOYABLE EXCERCISE!
I really do love this exercise DVD. I am a sad case, 66, back fused T10-S1, and very major surgery on my toes, neuropathy in my feet and torn shoulders. Recovery has really compromised my strength and balance. The reviews encouraged me to give this a try and I actually look forward to it. I have had it now a few weeks and I actually WANT to do it 5-6 days a week! It has an introduction to become familiar with the program, and then it is broken into many 12-31 minute workouts. There is a Tai Chi section and a Yoga section that I haven’t even looked at yet! So far I vary my routine among the first five workouts, often doing two in one day. They are well narrated so that they are easy to follow. Jane is just doing the routines and the narration is added in so she isn’t speaking while doing the exercises. I don’t have to listen to the instructional part now, since I know how to do each movement, but I still have the sound on low. There are lots more routines for me to add in as I progress. I am having to do very minor adaptation because of my limitations, mainly in my foot and ankle, but my limitations are improving already!! I often looked like a drunk, walking along stumbling a bit. From the foot surgery my right foot and leg were quite unstable and weak. I had no confidence in my steps and my ankles shook a bit. Forget about balancing on one foot or the other or getting up and down gracefully from a lower seated position. I see such improvement already. I can stand and balance on one foot to put on pants :), I sat down on a second step to visit with someone and didn’t have to get hauled up :), and I feel so much more confident as I walk. I don’t have to hang on to bannisters and I’m beginning to be able to pick my way through things like uneven surfaces or stairs out in the open. I am a gardener and I also enjoy mild to moderate hiking so we will see how I am this summer. What I am relating here might make this sound like it is just for basket cases. I really don’t think so. I am having a hard time categorizing myself as a senior, but I have definitely earned the physically challenged status. I really wish I’d made the effort to find this a few years back, right after the foot surgery, because I probably would have recovered so much stronger. I can see that this routine would be helpful for anyone just naturally loosing their strength and balance as well as physically impaired folks or seniors just experiencing the natural aging process. My advise TRY IT!!!

Have not tried it yet. Fell and broke 2 bones just after I recieved it.

Great dvd good techniques