Now, I was as sceptical as the next man when it came to perceived spiritual forms of exercise such as pilates. I thought it a bit slow, easy, and generally not worth bothering with. I was to get a shock. At the end of my 1st session (with strange pan pipe type music in the background), I wasn’t hot, sweaty or tired at all, I thought, too easy, waste of time. Next morning, when trying to get out of bed, it became clear what pilates was all about. I ached from deep in my tummy, meaning any form of movement was uncomfortable, but not impossible. By doing pilates I was using muscles (Core Muscles) that are essential to daily function, not to mention sports, and they had been underused for years. I had been missing a trick. That was 18 months ago, and I still do pilates once a week now, as a compliment to my other forms of exercise. Not only physically, but mentally I have found it a way to completely switch off for a hour, and just concentrate on rhythmic breathing and the movements. I never thought I’d see the day, but I now value the almost meditational aspect of pilates as much as the obvious physical benefits. Am I no longer a real man????