Step 5: create the perfect posture

Pilates is all about finding imbalances and understanding what each part of the body feels like. Where do you feel tight, loose, strong, weak?

The body tends to change shape because of muscle imbalances. When muscles aren’t equally as strong as each other, they start to pull on our bodies and change our posture.

“If we think about modern-day posture, many people sit at a desk all day or in a car and we find that we are always in hip flexion,” says Grant. “We will notice that the hip flexors are in a shortened position and they will get tight.”

Because we don’t use our glutes as much as we should, they get weaker. Sitting hunched over a laptop for eight hours a day pulls our spines forward so that the muscles in the front of the body get tighter and shorter, and the back of the body gets weak and long.

Improve your posture by:

Taking regular breaks from your desk, bed or kitchen table when you’re working
Concentrate on stretching and strengthening the front and back body
Try to keep your screen at eye line so that you’re not hunching down to see your screen
Have a go at pilates or a mobility class to lengthen and strengthen weak or tight muscles

Pilates for beginners: the 5-step guide to building strength and improving posture in pilates