8 Best Tai Chi DVDs and Books for Seniors

A follow-along tai chi workout made for adults over 60, with nothing to memorize: you simply copy what you see. The publisher describes it as a 40-minute routine that needs no experience or equipment. David-Dorian Ross teaches a whole series of tai chi DVDs for YMAA, and a follow-along format like this suits beginners.

The same teacher’s chair-based routine, done entirely sitting down. The publisher pitches it at total beginners as short and easy, mixing gentle tai chi movement with stretching and light strength work. It is the safest way to start if balance, dizziness or weak legs make standing practice risky.

Dr Paul Lam is a family physician and long-time tai chi teacher who created the Tai Chi for Arthritis program in 1997 for people with arthritis, aiming to improve balance and general health ([Tai Chi for Health Institute](https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/about-dr-paul-lam/)). This DVD teaches the program in 12 lessons, broken into small steps, which makes it a good choice if stiff or painful joints are your main concern.

If you want to actually learn a short tai chi sequence rather than just follow a workout, this eight-lesson course from Dr Paul Lam teaches it gradually, one lesson at a time. It is a natural next step after a follow-along DVD.

Three discs in one set: standing, seated and balance workouts, according to the listing. It suits a household where one person practises standing and another sits, or anyone who wants to move between the two as their balance improves.

Two discs covering both tai chi and qigong, with more than 16 short routines according to the listing, including gentle tai chi for seniors. A good choice if you are not sure which you prefer; our [qigong vs tai chi vs yoga](/seniors-daily/qigong-vs-tai-chi-vs-yoga-for-seniors) guide explains the difference.

A practical book from Dr Paul Lam and Nancy Kaye that takes you from beginners’ moves to the widely taught 24-form sequence. Use it alongside one of Dr Lam’s DVDs or a class, so you can see the moves as well as read them.

As its subtitle says, an accessible practice: tai chi adapted for people who cannot do the standard standing form. If you use a wheelchair, have limited leg strength or simply need everything adapted, this is the book to read.