Pilates: Spine Twist

Step 1: To prepare

Sit down on your mat with your legs stretched in front of you and feet at hip distance apart. Lift your arms up to either side keeping them slightly in front of you. Wiggle your fingers just to check you can see them in your peripheral vision.

If you are unable to sit up straight in this position or feel any discomfort in the backs of your legs then sit up on a small support.

Step 2: The exercise

Inhale to prepare, then as you exhale rotate your torso around to one side while lengthening up through the centre of the spine, exhale rotate a little more, exhale rotate again and inhale to return to the centre. Exhale rotate to the other side, exhale rotate a little more, exhale rotate a third time and inhale to the centre.

Do this 3 more times to each side and then relax your arms back down.