Tai Chi Videos: A Review of "Tai Chi for Expecting Mothers"
Tai Chi for Expecting Mothers Delivers!
Beth Hopkins-Acampora, a certified, licensed acupuncture physician, is the instructor in this dvd. She has been practicing tai chi and Chinese medicine for over 15 years. This instructor is someone who really knows her practice, not just a model or actress making a workout video. “Tai chi for Expecting Mothers” is a 90 minute workout. The setting is an appealing feng shui background, accompanied by soothing zen-type music. There are separate sections for the upper body, torso, and lower body. By the end of the dvd, you will have worked all major muscle groups. You’ll also get to experience a self-massage and meditation segment. The dvd includes some informational sections too. There is a feature on the history and philosophy of tai chi as well as the medical benefits of tai chi during pregnancy. The video offers the viewer the choice of turning the voiceover on or off during the workout. Voiceovers are great for beginners, but once you know the routine well, you may find it more soothing to turn off the voiceover during your workout. The stress-reducing zen music is an added bonus. You’ll melt away the stress when you do the tai chi moves on this dvd.
This pregnancy fitness dvd is a gentle, non-impact form of exercise that’s perfect for moms to be. The slow, fluid motions help to alleviate the physical discomforts of pregnancy. The dvd is perfect for beginners, and is appropriate for all three trimesters of pregnancy. Experience with tai chi isn’t necessary. You can do this video even if you’ve never done a tai chi workout before. There aren’t a lot of tai chi videos out there for pregnant women. This one is specifically intended for those who are expecting a baby, with the special needs of expecting women being considered in this dvd.
Tai chi reduces stress and anxiety, and is a great way to wind down before bed. Expectant moms will find this workout to be gentle, yet effective in toning the entire body. Flexibility and range of motion are increased with a regular tai chi workout. Back, shoulder, and neck pains associated with pregnancy are alleviated through the gentle stretches of this tai chi workout.
Practicing tai chi as part of a pregnancy fitness program helps contol high blood pressure caused by stress and tension. Tai chi does not stress the joints, which is an important component of a good pregnancy fitness program. Joints are looser in the sockets during the later months of pregnancy, and can be easily damaged with high impact activities. This is just one more reason to give this tai chi workout a try if you’re expecting a baby.