A North West Tai Chi school has announced it is bringing a new wellbeing course to the borough.

The Scott Broadhurst School of Tai Chi and Qigong has announced it will roll out a new bespoke course at two venues.

“An Introduction to the Wonders of Qigong Tai Chi” will launch at Ramsbottom’s holistic therapy centre The Chakra Room, on Tuesday, 13 September at 6pm and at Cosalea Café Bar on Walshaw Road at 2pm on Tuesday, 4 October.

The course is designed to enhance health, wellness and physical and mental strength.

Founder of the school Scott Broadhurst said: “At this time of year, people often need a boost – holidays are over and it’s back to school.

“This bespoke six-week course offers a fantastic introduction to both Qigong and Tai Chi, and we will cover meditation, postures and breathing techniques that can release and reduce stress and pain and increase overall fitness and wellbeing.”

Qigong is a mind-body exercise form that uses meditation, breathing, and movement to increase energy and can enable the body to heal itself through working the internal organs.

It is practiced for a variety of reasons and has countless health-related benefits.

Tai Chi comprises a series of postures linked by slow, graceful movements and accompanied by breathing techniques that focus the concentration.

It is performed in a sequence designed to restore and enhance the flow of chi, or "vital energy", exercising the mind, body and spirit to help improve health and wellbeing.

Many benefits can come from practising tai chi including improved balance and falls prevention, increased flexibility, improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength, pain reduction, stress reduction, relaxation, enhanced emotional wellbeing and positive mental state, increased energy levels, improved immune function and improved quality of life.

Scott added: “After the course students will feel stronger in mind and body, develop a super confidence, calm their anxiety, increase their power and increase stamina, energy and drive.

“It’s open to anyone, and everyone can benefit, and we can promise a welcoming environment with lots of support and fun along the way.”

Cosalea owner Lisa Moore said: “We’re extremely excited to be bringing this fantastic course to The Vault at Cosalea, and it is perfectly in fitting with our ethos.

“Our aim is to offer a welcoming social space that brings the local community together, providing some much-needed relaxation in these challenging times.

“This fantastic new course will offer something different as well as giving people the opportunity to make new friends and come together in our café afterwards where we will be offering a great choice of snacks, lunches, cakes, ice creams and a range of hot and cold drinks."

Booking is essential for what is expected to be an popular course.

To reserve a place call Scott on 07973 542966.