Go for it - Method Putkisto

Of course there'll be sceptics. Any new exercise programme named after its pioneer is bound to come under scrutiny. That said, unlike Pilates or Bikram yoga, you may not have heard of Method Putkisto. Yet.

And if, like me, your body seems to have booked a one-way ticket south, you'll approve of the benefits. These include improved posture, a leaner bodyline, increased flexibility, better circulation and, in some instances, an improvement in the appearance of cellulite.

Method Putkisto has been developed during the past ten years by Finnish dance, movement and Pilates teacher Marja Putkisto who has worked with the Finnish Olympic team. It's essentially a deep stretching and breathing technique, designed to elongate muscles that have shortened and tightened. The aim is to correct posture problems - a protruding abdominal area and slumped shoulders being prime examples.

The session begins by outlining good and bad posture and, after warming up, we start work on stretches for the waist, pelvis, chest, legs, neck and face. Unlike other stretch methods, only one muscle group is worked at a time and stretches are held for up to five minutes - combined with the controlled breathing technique for maximum effect.

To demonstrate the immediate - but short-lived - results of the method (practise makes permanent), we work on a shoulder stretch called the Butterfly. Afterwards Marja stands me in front of a mirror, where I'm alarmed to see my right shoulder and breast appear higher than the left. This is a sign that it's worked and, fortunately, we work on the other side before I leave.

At some points during the session, the pain was biting, enough to bring tears to my eyes, but as I made my way home, I felt 'right' - better than I have in years.

For details of Method Putkisto classes, call 020-8878 7384 or visit www.method putkisto.com