Pilates (pronounced pi-lah-tees) is a method of exercise and physical movement designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. Devised at the turn of the 20th century by Joseph Pilates, it's been a fitness mainstay of dancers for decades - and of celebrities since the 1990s.

Sometimes confused with yoga, the two share some principles - breathing is important to both - but are very different in other ways.

'Yoga has a more spiritual undertone, usually includes meditation and, although great for general toning and strengthening, Pilates is more "scientific" with each exercise designed to "fire up" specific target muscles,' explains Melissa Patterson of Sydney-based MG Pilates.

'Some people describe yoga being about how you feel and Pilates more about how you look.

'This may be simplistic, but Pilates gives fast results and is particularly good for core abdominal muscles and increasing abdominal strength.

'This reduces shoulder and back pain we get from everyday activities like sitting at a computer.

'Pilates is also great for improving posture and can even make you appear taller. While it won't have the fat-burning effect of cardio, it's a good fat "distributor" in the sense it can lengthen the muscles and make them appear leaner.'

Although initially dismissed by many as a New Age fad, Pilates is now a must-do workout. Enthusiasts tout it as a 'wonder workout' that not only trims thighs, but also helps keep the body young without punishing it with a gruelling workout.

During pregnancy, many women find it helps to strengthen the pelvic floor, and get the abs and pelvic floor back into shape after birth. She adds that breastfeeding and holding the baby can stress the shoulders and neck and Pilates can strengthen and stabilise these areas.

Pilates can relieve everyday aches and pains, and can effectively help recovery from injury.

60 Second Pilates:
Anyone can do Pilates. You don't need heavy or expensive equipment and you can do it anywhere, even at the office. Introduce yourself to Pilates with a simple spine-lengthening, mind-relaxing and back-strengthening exercise.

Lateral Breathing: Repeat five to 10 times:

Imagine there's a balloon inside your rib cage. Breathe in and fill the balloon up with air, expanding the ribs to the sides and back without lifting the shoulders. Breathe out and gently lift the pelvic floor muscles, drawing your navel to your spine. As you do, imagine there's a magnet on the ceiling drawing you upwards and another on the floor drawing your tailbone down. Do this without lifting the ribs up but feel them sliding down towards the hipbones. This activates the core and helps relieve aches and pains.

Star Devotees

Jennifer Aniston:
Jen says Pilates solved a chronic pinched nerve, back and hip problem.
Belinda Carlisle:
Pop star Belinda says she's grown more than six centimetres in eight years
Joan Collins:
Joan likes the way a Pilates workout makes her feel like she's really working.
Charlize Theron:
Oscar-winner Charlize does five 90-minute sessions a week if she wants results.
Jamie Lee Curtis:
Pilates has changed Jamie Lee's body shape and made her feel great.
Patrick Swayze:
Dirty dancer Patrick has been doing Pilates to help his dancing for years.