EALING charity Heartlink has been thinking of creative ways to encourage people living with heart failure to exercise more.

A martial arts instructor might not seem the obvious choice, but Kung Fu expert Zibi Panasewicz has been running Tai Chi classes for people finding their feet again.

Zibi said: “I was a big Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan fan as a teenager and used to get up to all kinds of crazy stuff trying to copy their moves.

“Jackie was a great one for running up a wall and somersaulting backwards on to his feet. I remember thinking ‘I can do that’ until I ended up on the floor in a dazed heap.

“My instructor always insisted I practise Tai Chi as well as Kung Fu and I can see the benefits of that now I am older.”

Participants move through a flowing sequence of graceful moves with an emphasis on movement, balance and breathing.

Zibi added: “People get different things from Tai Chi, but it is great for balance, flexibility and relieving stress.”

For details about classes, contact www.taichi4u.uk