BERMUDA residents will get the chance this weekend to see if ancient Chinese wisdom could help them to counter some of the scourges of modern life, such as anxiety, depression and stress.

Members of the Bermuda Tai Chi / Qigong Association will be holding a demonstration in Victoria Park tomorrow morning and everyone is invited to see, learn and try it out.

Organiser Larry Trott said the event, which will start at 10 a.m., was part of World Tai Chi and Qigong (pronounced "chee kung") Day, a coordinated health and healing event involving similar demonstrations all over the world.

Mr. Trott, who owns the business Healing Works together with his wife Karen Simons, said tai chi and qigong were Chinese health technologies that had evolved over thousands of years.

"Tai chi and qigong have been shown in research to reduce anxiety, depression and chronic pain conditions," Mr. Trott said.

"They boost the immune system, improve respiratory function, burn calories, dramatically improve balance, provide cardiovascular benefit, provide stress management tools and slow aspects of the ageing process."

Mr. Trott has personal experience of how qigong can boost personal health. While living in Africa, he became gravely ill, suffering from malaria and typhoid fever simultaneously.

Qigong helped him restore good health, he said, and to counter any after-effects of the diseases.

Globally, the event will start at 10 a.m. local time in 61 countries.

No prior experience in tai chi or qigong is necessary and all ages and physical abilities are welcome.

Mr. Trott said he had completed the recording of a 45-minute, locally produced DVD on qigong that he hoped would be on sale in around three weeks.

l To find out more about World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, log onto the web at http://worldtaichiday.org.