ALTON Community Associationhas invitated members in Alton Public Gardens on Sunday, August 13, to celebrate World Qigong Day.

The event will start at 10.30am with a free session that is open to all. Tutor Sue Kelly will take her audience through their paces and provide information on her classes at Alton Community Centre.

An energy art originating in China, Qigong is a holistic system of co-ordinated body posture and movement, breathing and meditation used for health, spirituality, and martial arts training.

Its benefits are said to be improved strength, conditioning and flexibility, reduced pain and stiffness, sense of calm, better sleep, stress reduction, enhanced immune system, reduced blood pressure, increased energy levels and improved cardiovascular and respiratory

function.