By: Amanda Jayne Lee

I've never been an exercise buff.

So, as you can imagine, stepping into a gym, especially one that specialises in pilates and physiotherapy, was hard.

Yet once I stepped into The Moving Body, I was immediately comforted by greetings from its friendly staff.

I was first instructed to put my shoes on a bench, before I was ushered into a studio for an osteoporosis class. The instructors were walking around barefoot, which helped to put customers at ease.

Diego Chia, my instructor who is also a qualified physiotherapist, explained that the class will help healthy individuals as well as those with osteopenia. Osteopenia is a condition where bone density is low and is usually a precursor to osteoporosis.

The various forms of exercises what I would learn would help strengthen spine-supporting muscles and increase bone density.

However, the moment we started the class, I was at a loss. In front of me was a complicated looking machine with springs and bars. Where was I supposed to sit? Or stand?

So it was a good thing that classes at the centre are held in small groups - one class has at most six students.

My class had only two students - me and a seasoned veteran.

My confusion wasn't going unnoticed. Diego offered his help, teaching me how to adjust the springs in the machine and explaining their functions.

We started off with a basic breathing technique: Inhaling, exhaling, while concentrating on whether your abdomen was moving in the right way.

Suffice to say, my skills at pilates were zero - I couldn't coordinate all three activities at the same time.

However, as the class went on, I realised that my limbs were starting to coordinate with his instructions.

The breathing exercises were followed with mat-based stretches and squats, which Diego said could be done conveniently at home.

Most of them might look easy, but having to hold yourself in certain awkward positions - with only your toes to support you - isn't as easy as you'd think.

I emerged from the class with my posture straightened and without breaking a sweat.

It was a new experience, and I'm sure it helped. Although my muscles started to ache the next morning, I found myself sitting straighter at my desk instead of hunching over my computer.

Each class lasts about an hour and is priced at $50. Private classes are also available, from $125.

The Moving Body is located at Robertson Walk 11 Unity Street #02-12 Singapore 237995.