The Chinese have balanced body energies to maintain good health and treat illnesses for centuries. Here are four techniques and how they are practised here.

TAI CHIImages of groups of perfectly poised people practising the ancient art of tai chi are something you associate with the Far East rather than Worcestershire.

But Alan Smith, main picture, founder of the Rising Dragon Tai Chi School, is changing all that.

Over the next few weeks he will be in parks across the county bringing tai chi - what he describes as an art for living well - to everyone.

Alan, who has been teaching tai chi since 1985, says his focus is to enable people to release stress, improve their posture and exercise without causing any strain.

"Tai chi is a meditation in movement which requires people to become both relaxed and present," he says.

"Tai chi shibashi is a series of flowing, simple exercises designed to soothe and refresh the body, mind and spirit.

"There are many ways that tai chi promotes health and well-being such as improved blood circulation, balance, muscle tone, posture and alignment, a strengthened immune system, a calmer mind, and improved concentration."

His tai chi living well course has been designed to benefit the needs of the more mature person and to improve balance, co-ordination and muscle tone.

"The gentle exploration of how we move allows us to dissolve unhelpful habits and rediscover the joyous simplicity of stillness in movement."

To find out more call Alan on 01905 764848 or e-mail AlanSmith.rdtc@talktalk.net

ACUPUNCTUREKaren Wade, pictured above, who is based at Health Avenues in Powick, near Worcester, has helped people with a variety of health problems ranging from headaches to menopausal problems, arthritis and asthma using traditional Chinese acupuncture, which has been practised for 2,500 years.

Acupuncture is a system of healing that has been used for thousands of years in China, and although it is a well recognised form of pain relief it can also be used to treat a wide variety of illness, says Karen.

"According to traditional Chinese medicine our health depends on energy, known as Qi, which moves through paths inside our body.

"Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities - yin and yang. When these become unbalanced, illness may result.

"By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance."

Karen also practises cupping therapy - an ancient technique used either with acupuncture or as an alternative.

She says the method of treatment, in which cups are placed over acupuncture points on the body, are especially useful in the treatment of local problems such as bronchitis, asthma, joint pain and arthritis.

For more information call Karen on 01905 830267 or visit www.karenwade.co.uk

FENG SHUIHave you been feeling a bit low? Perhaps you have been suffering from a long-term chronic condition? Well, have you ever thought your energies may be being sapped because your house is built over detrimental earth energies?

Ced Jackson, of Ebrington Road, Malvern, has been using the ancient Chinese art of feng shui to help people sort out a variety of health problems - as well as other issues such as relationships and careers - for 15 years. Feng shui can also be used to order your garden, pictured right.

"Feng shui can help identify what is going on," he says.

"For example, if your bed is in a location which is subject to detrimental earth energies - which could be anything from a fault in the earth to an underground stream - this may drain your energy, and as a result you may be more vulnerable.

"The shape of your immediate environment can also affect you in different ways. We are familiar with the problems of living in a house which is damp, but damp is only one of the more obvious signs that something is adrift. Feng shui can identify what is wrong at an energetic level, and what can be done about it."

"Feng shui is, in part, about recognising your situation, and the changes that are taking place, and being organised and orientated so that you can live in harmony and accentuate the positive," he says.

Mr Jackson offers consultations in clients homes. For more information call him on 01684 560265, e-mail Ced.Jackson@FengShuiFutures.

com or visit www.FengShuiFutures.com

HERBAL MEDICINEChinese Herbal Medicine is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world, having existed for over 4,000 years.

"It is primarily concerned with establishing and eradicating the cause of ill health through holistic treatment of the individual," says Dr Li Nung of Natural Healing in The Shambles, Worcester, pictured right with owner Jessica Zhang.

Anyone can pop into Natural Healing for a free consultation with Dr Li, who says he can help everything from dermatological problems such as acne and eczema to anxiety and stress, coronary heart disease and even bed-wetting.

"Diagnostic information is gathered by four examinations - looking, listening, asking and touching," Dr Li explains.

"If herbal medicine is required the doctor prescribes combinations of herbs depending on the symptoms, and they are then cooked or drunk as a tea or taken in tablet form."

Natural healing also offers other forms of traditional Chinese medicine, including tui na massage, cupping therapy, moxibustion (an application of mild heat from glowing moxa wool to the body), reflexology and ear candling.

Visit www.mynaturalhealing. co.uk for more information or call 01905 619188.