We all reach a time in life when we want to make changes and I was no exception. Having turned 50 and feeling pretty burnt out after 25 years of running a company, I had some health problems. I was looking for something to ease a rather battered mind, body and spirit.

Having watched people doing the slow and graceful Tai Chi movements in the park I became curious and started to find out more. They say that Tai Chi is always something you find when you are looking for change because in practising Tai Chi it starts a process of positive change and that's why we are attracted to it.

My first search on the web offered a staggering 7,100,000 documents, that's 14 years reading at a minute a page! I had never realised how popular it was or why. Everywhere I looked there was one consistent theme, namely, the benefits that practising Tai Chi offered to young and old alike.

The benefits include:

Improved posture, flexibility and balance,

better recovery rates from illness, injury and surgery,

more energy and better sleep patterns,

stress management, boosting the immune system,

counteracting the effects of aging and even lowering blood pressure.

Initially, I was sceptical but the more I read the more it became obvious that the claims must be genuine since they were universal. This was spooky. Everything on my wish list for making a positive change to my life seemed to be available via Tai Chi. So, the next step was to find a teacher.

The art of Tai Chi is passed down from Master to Master through the generations, so finding a teacher who was part of this lineage seemed a tall order but worth a bit more research. In a perfect world we would all be taught by someone regarded as a world authority in our chosen subject; we would get the teaching straight from the horse's mouth, as the saying goes. But in an imperfect world what do we do?

To cut a long story short, I came across a brilliant book called 15 Minute Tai Chi, Strong Body, Still Mind by Master John Ding. He is a 6th generation Yang style Tai Chi Chuan Master and the book was co-written by his son, Dr Alan Ding.  I was particularly drawn to the fact that Dr Alan Ding is a Doctor at a London Hospital and also chief instructor at the John Ding Academy. The East-West balance is rather comforting.

The book is a superb introduction to anyone wanting to understand more about Tai Chi and considering trying it out for themselves. I loved the way it was written. It's full of common sense and down to earth explanations of the history, principles and mysteries behind Tai Chi Chuan. Tai Chi Chuan actually means "The Great Ultimate Fist" as its origins are as a martial art. The book teaches the movements step by step and also relaxation techniques.

By the way, just in case you were wondering, Tai Chi is not a religion, although it does have enormous relevance in how we lead our lives. You soon realise that there are some quite mystical aspects to Tai Chi that are hard for the Western mind to accept or explain, but that is one of the fascinations of the art.

Master John Ding has also released a new DVD that is the perfect partner for the book. The DVD covers everything you need to know, including correct breathing, posture, step by step lessons in the John Ding Tai Chi Chuan Form, slow motion sequences to practice along to and some incredible demonstrations of energy work. It's been produced by professionals and is very well made, with easy menus and a lot of rich well thought out and presented content. There is well over an hour of video to watch and the DVD is already receiving great reviews. 

Its BRILLIANT!!!  So clear and straightforward.  It makes so much sense.  I love it!

What comes across is just the huge wealth of really, really useful interesting information. It's the best Tai Chi video I have seen and the slow motion sequences are a brilliant way to teach the movements.

For anyone wanting to take up Tai Chi this is the perfect combination of book and DVD I can't recommend it highly enough, and because of Master Ding's lineage he teaches the authentic Tai Chi Chuan.

The book and DVD make a fantastic Xmas present for pretty much anyone I can think of, or do as I did and treat yourself  it can be a life changing experience. 

As the title suggest 15 minute Tai Chi has been specially developed by Master John Ding so that even the busiest person can fully benefit from what Tai Chi has to offer and let's be honest what else can you do for 15 minutes a day that offers so many benefits. Many suffers of Rheumatoid Arthritis have report significant improvements in their mobility, so if your Mind Body and Soul needs a little TLC this might be just what the doctor ordered.

The book and excellent new DVD are available at a special price of £25 or you can purchase them separately for £20 for the DVD and £8.99 for the book www.johndingacademy.com  Their web page for mail order is being updated today so please leave your details via the "contact us" page and they will get back to you within 24 hours.