Pat Issitt has been getting people fit for ten years and teaches classes at gyms throughout York

Q I've heard a lot of positive things about Pilates, but what exactly is it?

A Pilates certainly seems to be the latest buzz in the fitness world. You may have heard that going to a Pilates class will give you a longer, leaner body, help to solve back problems or help with relaxation.

This system of exercise is actually more than 70 years old and was developed by a German sportsman, Joseph Pilates, whose exercise studio in New York in the 1940s was a mecca to the local dance community.

Dancers found his exercise system particularly helpful to strengthen their bodies against injuries and help build good posture.

These days, we're used to the idea that exercising hard and fast is the way to get results, (and I love to work out in a good sweaty aerobics class!) but a Pilates class is slow and considered.

You will be taught to think about how you lie on the floor, what position your back is in, what your shoulders are doing and how you perform simple movements such as lifting your arms.

The Pilates teacher will spend time demonstrating breathing technique and making sure you know which abdominal muscles to contract as you perform slow sit- ups or back extensions.

Once you've mastered the basics of the technique, which may take about a month or two depending on how often you can practise, you will be able to move on to some of the more advanced exercises.

Many gyms are starting to include a Pilates classes on their timetable. If you are thinking about joining in, have a chat to the teacher first and find out what sort of format they will be following.

If you are generally fit and healthy there should be no problems in joining in a class with up to 15 or so others, but many teachers of 'pure' Pilates prefer to teach on a more personal basis, so they can tailor the exercises to a specific client. This is obviously more expensive, but you can expect the results of improved posture, leaner muscle tone and a better back.

Also, find out where your teacher studied the system: leading trainers in the UK are Bodycontrol Pilates, The Pilates Institute and Modern Pilates.

The Pilates system develops strength, flexibility, co-ordination and relaxation. But if you think you'd like to give it a go, don't forget to look after the other aspects of you fitness regime. To maintain your overall fitness you should include exercise which improves your cardiovascular system - that's heart and lungs - and (sorry folks, if you thought exercise of the future was going to be all about lying down and thinking carefully about how to lift your arm up), cardiovascular fitness means doing some aerobic work and getting a bit out of breath for at least 20 minutes three times a week!

u Pat Issitt teaches classes at the Barbican, Oaklands Sports Centre and Living Well and Courtney's gym, besides being a course tutor and assessor for Exercise to Music and Aquafit teacher training programmes at York Training Centre.

If you have any query about health, fitness or relationships, write in confidence to: The Experts, Features Department, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, with your name, address and daytime telephone number, (these details will not be published). Also, you can e-mail questions to: maxine.gordon@ycp.co.uk. We regret that none of our columnists will be able to reply to individuals.