December 29th, 2009 
Description
TaiChiBaby.com proudly releases this new Tai Chi DVD for pregnancy. Tai Chi, popular in Europe and Asia, is gaining U.S. media attention as a beneficial exercise alternative to yoga and pilates. Tai chi is non-impact, slow moving and done while standing making it safe and gentle enough for women who have never exercised and pregnant women in all trimesters. Tai Chi exercise has been clinically proven to counter balance some of the common side effects of pregnancy. It che… More >>
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I’ve never felt compelled to write a review for a product before, but I need to for this DVD. I had very high expectations based on prior reviews that were posted, and I’m only minimally satisfied with my order. I own MANY exercise DVDs, so I feel I’m good judge of them.
The content of the video was very good. The instructor, Beth Hopkins-Acampora, gives good instruction in a very pleasant voice. (Despite the many wonderful reviews of Shiva Rea’s PreNatal Yoga DVD, her voice ruins the whole thing for me. It’s important that you like the instructor’s attitude and tone if you’re going to watch him/her several times a week.)
The set design in this video is also very nice with one major exception. Would it have killed the set designer to put some screens over the windows so we don’t have to look at the buildings across the street or the parking lot next door to the studio? I found that very odd mainly because I’ve just never seen it in any other video; therefore, it was distracting.
The set design flaw I didn’t mind NEARLY as much as the horrible sound and film quality. The picture is blurry at times and looks very “amateur”, and in between Beth’s instructions you can hear crackling and weird noises.
Also, the music basically played in a loop and never varied much throughout the workout.
This was no $5 video I picked up in a clearance rack at Target. I paid nearly $30 for this DVD, so my expectations were quite high. I won’t be returning it and I’ll probably continue to do the workout because it IS relaxing and soothing to the muscles and joints; however, from now on I will go back to buying the Gaiam DVDs that are consistently high quality.
Rating: 2 / 5
I have practised Tai Chi before and I know that the background music should be gentle and relaxing. So when I tried this DVD the first time, the intermittent sudden loud tune (or noise) in the background really struck me as unexpected and annoying. I couldn’t focus on the excercises but kept wondering if it is the quality of the CD or it is the music itself.
I like the content and the instructor but the music is odd and terrible.
Rating: 2 / 5
For one thing, it’s not Tai Chi in any recognizable form. What it is, is a slow, repetitive series of moves derived from the traditional series of Tai Chi moves. I didn’t find it to be of any muscular or cardio benefit at all. If you want to meditate, then buy something of that nature, because this doesn’t fulfill that criteria, either. Plus, the DVD warns you that it isn’t up to par for surround sound and so should rely on TV audio instead. Since this wasn’t an inexpensive DVD it seemed that they overly skimped on the production quality despite the premium pricing.
Save your money and buy a different DVD.
Rating: 2 / 5
Loved this workout to begin with but DVD started freezing/skipping after only 2 months. Tried cleaning it with dvd cleaner, that didn’t help. I bought a couple other pregnancy workout DVDs but this was my favorite and it was also more expensive than the others. It skips less when I play it on my laptop but impossible to use in either of my two regular dvd players.
Rating: 2 / 5
This is an excellent DVD for pregnant mamas. No impact and very relaxing and soothing. I have had four children and tried many of the other prenatal exercise DVDs and this is by far my favorite. Beth’s voice is very soothing and relaxing. The set is very different and realistic as opposed to the fake sets of some other videos. I highly recommend this video to my doula and childbirth education clients and would recommend it to YOU!
Rating: 5 / 5