RESHAPING the body, balancing muscles and re-aligning the skeleton are the aims of Pilates - an exercise technique which helps to counteract the damage that most of us are doing to our natural posture on a day to day basis, pouring over computers, slouching in front of the TV and driving.

Tanya Loxham believes she may be the first person to teach Pilates in Warrington. She has only recently moved to the town, and is giving classes at the Quays Community Centre, Grappenhall.

Tanya, a qualified instructor, is offering four Guardian readers six weeks' free classes. She got into Pilates initially to help herself to recover from a car crash. Tanya has a background of teaching Step, 50-plus fitness and lecturing in physiology and anatomy. She is married with four children and lives in Stockton Heath.

Tanya explained that Pilates, which is widely practised in America, opens the chest and pulls in the tummy. Muscles that haven't been used for a long time are brought back to doing what they are supposed to do. "The whole of life goes against natural posture", said Tanya.

The classes are suitable not just for people who want to improve their health and posture, but those who have problems with neck, shoulder or back, or are rehabilitating after suffering fused discs, foot operations, Caesarians and other illnesses. Some people who attend may be quite unfit, but help is at hand. Tuition is both one to one and group.

Tanya's classes are on Mondays, 7pm till 8pm, and Wednesdays, 7.30pm till 8.30pm and cost £4.

Our free classes will go to the first four people who ring Tanya on or after Saturday September 29. She can be contacted on 01925 269538.