Yoda classes - how to be a Jedi

It is a dream of many young boys who have watched a Star Wars film over the years - to become part of the Jedi order of noble warriors.

Now, the chance to join the ranks of Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda has finally arrived - sort of.

Feel the Force: How to Train in the Jedi Way is the somewhat unlikely title of a course offered by Dr Allen Baird through Queen's University in Belfast.

"I will be going as far as scientific psychology will allow, so while there will be no Jedi mind tricks or telepathy being taught, I can show them empathy and non-verbal communication, influencing and persuasion skills," said Dr Baird, who is a communications guru.

"I teach them to business people on a regular basis. People in this class can learn them for any day-to-day contact with friends or family or in their own workplace.

"Star Wars can be used as a platform for people in their own personal development"
Dr Allen Baird

"It's about understanding and communicating with people."

The one day course will also look at some of the philosophical concepts in the films, described by Dr Baird as "balance, destiny, dualism, fatherhood, fascism and bureaucracy".

"It's not adolescent rubbish -there are serious themes there. Star Wars can be used as a platform for people in their own personal development."