If you've always dismissed t'ai chi as a workout for wimps, think again - this ancient art will put your mind as well as your body through its paces.

Need a break from the real world? Give t'ai chi - the martial art that offers a mental makeover - a go.

Sound deep? It is, but that shouldn't put you off because t'ai chi can make a real difference to your life. Created originally by a Chinese monk in the 13th century, t'ai chi is based on the Taoist belief that internal forces of yin and yang must be balanced if you are to remain healthy in body and mind. Through focusing on the four principles of martial arts - posture, internal energy, chi (life energy) and mind - you will learn how to replace negative forces with positive ones.

What's involved? Movements are slow and controlled so you won't improve your cardiovascular fitness or get a calorie-burning workout. However, some moves do help to improve strength (if you're standing on one leg for example) and your flexibility and balance will get better. The main advantage has to be that a session of t'ai chi in the early hours will set you up mentally for the day ahead. In fact, some experts recommend beating the morning rush of joggers to the local park where you can be at one with yourself and meditate in a relatively peaceful environment. Don't be fazed by onlookers walking their dogs as you rebalance your chi. It really works, and you won't be climbing the walls later when you get stuck in traffic.

Try these t'ai chi sample moves for a flavour of how this mind/body makeover works:
Twisting The Dragon's Tail: This exercise helps to improve digestion and rid toxins from your system. You will need a mop or broom handle to perform it. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Rest the wooden pole behind your head on your shoulders so that it's parallel to the floor. Now carefully bend from your waist as far as you can - but no further than a right angle - then return slowly to the upright position. Next, dip to the right from the waist and then to the left. Repeat five times.
The Sunrise and Sunset: This move will help you unwind during or at the end of a stressful day. Hold the broom handle or pole with both hands at chest level, close to your body and parallel to the floor. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Breathe in as you raise the pole above your head, palms facing outwards and slowly come up onto your toes. Breathe out as you return to flat feet. Lower the pole to a position just below where you started. Repeat five times.

If you enjoyed these exercises and would like to find out more about Tai Chi, contact The T'ai Chi Union on 0141 638 2946 or log onto www.taichichuan.co.uk.