STRIKING a pose in the grounds of one of the world's most exclusive hotels, is a man with a shaved head in shiny red silk pyjamas.

He is leading a group of people through a series of moves used in the ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi and it's quite a surreal sight.

A brisk breeze is blowing across the lush, green, manicured lawn - which is also a launch pad for some of the hotel guest's helicopters - everything else seems to moving in slow motion.

There's a bit of chanting going on too and just when I fear it's all getting a bit intense, Paul Lockyer who is running the session with his partner Martine Niven, cracks a joke and lightens the atmosphere.

I didn't really know what to expect when I rolled up at The Chewton Glen Hotel in New Milton for my first Tai Chi class. (It's just one of many classes held throughout the week at different venues across the region).

Until now my idea of keeping fit usually involves some fairly frenetic activity, but this is a whole new discipline which requires considerable concentration.

Tai Chi is about combining deep breathing with relaxation and postures that flow from one to another through slow movements.

Practitioners claim it can have a positive effect on people's health, improving memory, concentration, digestion, balance and flexibility.

Latest research by doctors in the United States analysed 47 studies looking at the impact of Tai Chi had on people with chronic health problems, like heart disease or MS.

They found it could improve balance control, flexibility and even the health of their heart. It was also found to be helpful for people with psychological problems such as depression, anxiety or stress.

One of the members of the class Lynn, a retired special needs teacher, was diagnosed with anxiety and depression nearly three years ago.

She is convinced that Tai Chi has been instrumental in her rehabilitation.

"It's the only thing that helps me to really focus on my mental wellbeing. I had psychotherapy and I tried yoga which is probably the closest thing to it, but Tai Chi is the one thing that really helps to still my mind.

"It does seem quite slow at first but the more you do it the more you realise that it's about what's inside your body that counts."

Lynn says it took her a long time to accept that her mental state was having a direct affect on her physical health too.

"My immune system had broken down and I was getting bad asthma attacks but it took me over a year to accept my doctor's diagnosis and that it was all linked to my mental state.

"I'm feeling much more positive now and I am starting to reduce my medication."

Her instructors Paul and Martine, both former drama students, who have been studying martial arts for a collective 25 years, say the health aspects of Tai Chi are well documented.

"It might sound a bit wacky but it's just a different way of looking at it, " says Martine. "It is used extensively in hospitals in China to improve the health of patients."

Martine who is also a qualified holistic therapist, explains that Tai Chi helps to put you in tune with your body.

"The body, mind and spirit are all connected but many people here don't realise that nowadays - it's about trying to balance those three elements in your life - you can't separate your mind from your body."

The couple who taught on cruise ships and run Natural Healing (visit nathealing.com) say they want to bridge the gap and teach people of all ages and abilities.

"Anyone can do it," says Paul. "We have taught people in wheelchairs, people with Parkinson's and ME and even a guy with a wooden leg!"

He explains that Tai Chi enables you to get to the root of a problem rather than taking a tablet. He himself suffers with asthma but says he has learnt to control his condition through his martial arts.

"There's so much to it. The more you train the more you see how deep it can go. With regular practise it brings awareness and clarity - it helps you find focus in life." For information call 0800 756 6422 l