It's enjoyable and engaging to do.

You don't need to get hot and sweaty doing it, it doesn't take up much time or space to do, and -- importantly in today's financial climate -- you don't need to pay up each time you do it (as you would for massage or other complementary therapies, or to go to the gym, swimming pool, health club or spa).

It's a good way of energising yourself during the daytime -- or, conversely, of winding down in the evening.

It's a very efficient means of stress-relief; it's good at calming the mind and smoothing the emotions. If you work at a computer, are in meetings or or do physical work all day, it's a great way of counteracting these demands on your mind and your body. You could easily do it during breaks at work.

It's gentle on your body, but effective; you'll feel the benefits fast. This makes it very good for anyone recovering from illness, surgery or injury. It also means that it's an activity you can take into old age with you, unlike many sports.

It develops specific qualities such as balance, coordination, bodily awareness, flexibility and relaxation while moving. All of these are beneficial for almost anyone, but two groups to whom these outcomes are particularly valuable are the elderly (especially as a way of reducing the risk of falls) and sportspeople.

It also develops the ability to focus on a task, and will leave you feeling more centred and self-aware. This will assist you in leading the life you'd like to lead -- one that's true to you.

It trains you to move your body in a more biomechanically efficient manner, and this is taken into everyday life -- meaning that you're less likely to suffer injury or strain while lifting, running, jumping or anything else. You'll understand your body better - both with your mind and on the basis of experience.

It softens your body by progressively opening up your connective tissues (fascia). This will make other forms of bodywork -- massage etc. -- more effective.

Because it gets your energy moving in a gentle way, it's very good as a means of pain relief and as a way of enhancing cardiovascular fitness. It will also strengthen you physique, especially your legs. It's helpful for problems like back pain, sciatica, shoulder pain, headaches ... and many more.

It's very good for helping you to feel your Chi (energy), both in and around your body. This contributes to increased overall bodily awareness and vitality, but also means that you can feel where energy is blocked -- so that you can focus your efforts there. Anyone who practises a healing art will find this incredibly useful in their practice.

People who are anxious or depressed will find the energy balancing and moving aspects of Dragon and Tiger useful. It can also be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy, counselling, personal coaching or other self-improvement programmes.

It's used in China both as a primary treatment for cancer, and as a means of alleviating the effects of radiation and chemotherapy. For information about research into the benefits of the very similar Tai Chi, see www.taichiresearch.com 

Finally, if you come to class, you will get to have some good clean fun and to meet other people!