Tai Chi Qi Gong Shibashi consists of 18 movements that have their roots in martial arts and Chinese medicine and are designed to enhance the flow of energy around the body.

Ros Day has been teaching the art of Tai Chi Qi Gong Shibashi for four years and practising it herself for almost 20 years.

She said: "Traditionally, people would do the exercise for the inner strength, building up their strength before doing the movements for the martial art.

"The one I teach is just for the inner strength."

Tai Chi Qi Gong Shibashi is based on the premise that the flow of energy, life force – or chi – becomes stuck or deficient in different parts of our bodies.

"This is often where we feel discomfort," said Ros. "These Qi Gong movements help the energy to move, thus balancing our system and helping to release aches and pains."

Tai Chi can help with weight loss, breathing difficulties, circulatory problems and high blood pressure and can aid digestion, as well as improve flexibility, strength and stamina.

Ros said: "Some people find it is the stress that it helps with. The relaxation part of it is the big benefit to a lot of people, as well as the physical aspect. It is slowing everything down."

Ros runs two classes at Cleadon Park Community Centre in Sunderland Road, South Shields, and a class at Primrose Community Centre in Lambton Terrace, Jarrow.

They are attended by about 30 people in total – men and women of all ages.

She said: "To start with, you do a series of stretches and do-ing – tapping the body. It's a bit like waking up and saying 'come on, let's get moving'."

Participants are then asked to imagine they are "grounded" like a tree to the earth before starting the 18 movements – and inviting the "great universal energy" into the body.

Ros said: "What I usually say is take on board as much or little as makes sense to you. Nothing detrimental is going to happen.

"I encourage people to work within the limits of their own body and do not stretch or bend further than is comfortable.

"This set of movements was put together with the aim that anyone will be able to join in, whatever their health, fitness or experience.

"It is practised by beginners and masters. The movements are easy to follow and yet have subtleties and nuances that take a lifetime to develop."

Susan Lowe, 60, of Cleadon, has been going to Ros's class at Cleadon Park Community Centre for three-and-a-half years.

She was initially referred by Choosing Health, a team set up to offer practical support to people in the borough who want to improve their own health.

"I'd had a hysterectomy and an operation to have my knee replaced and they wanted me to lose weight," she said.

"With the knee situation, I couldn't do vigorous exercise.

"I was enrolled on Choosing Health when it first started and they suggested I did a six-week course on Tai Chi and I have done it ever since."

She added: "I couldn't balance at all, but I found it strengthened all my legs.

"If I am getting anxious about something, I do the breathing and I find it keeps me quite calm.

"I have got my balance back. It is so gentle you don't strain anything and I am much more supple than I used to be."

Liz Etchells, 61, of The High Road, South Shields, has been practising Tai Chi for about four years.

"I always feel so refreshed every time I have been," she said. "I really miss it when it is not on."

The grandmother-of-six was also referred to the class by Choosing Health.

"I got diagnosed with diabetes and I was told I had to lose some weight and eat healthy and things like that," she said.

Liz does Tai Chi at home and she and Susan kept the class going when Ros was in hospital for three months.

"The Tai Chi has made me relax," she added. "When I go home after Tai Chi, I feel as though I can cope with everyday things that sometimes
get you down.

"That is why I do it at home. If I feel a bit down, if I do a bit of Tai Chi it does the trick and cheers me up."