For me the exercizes did increase my balance, flexibility, and grace. I even lost a bit of weight after a month or two. The flowing movements were a joy to preform... after I had decided how they were to be performed- which was no easy task the farther I progressed in the course.

There weren't enough camera angles to really show how a movement was to be executed and to make matters worse, the instructor added her own flourishes after the basic move had been run through two or three times, further confusing me. This was even more evident when you ran through the full form up to the move you'd just learned. Some of the moves were almost unrecognisable.

I fully agree that this form should be taught by a live instructor. Some of the moves near the end of the course are best learned where you can ask questions.

In the explination of the video- this being a feminine art form, I believe she was trying to say that this form of Tai Chi would help make the balance of Yin and Yang within a person be best suited for a female. I can't say I felt any more " feminine " after my lessons, but I did feel better about myself.

I too was wondering about the breathing, since breath control is supposed to be very important in Tai Chi. The instructor only starts you off with the breathing pattern at the very beginning and then leaves you to decide just where you are to hold your breath and where it is necessary to breathe through the move.