This requires a great deal of concentration and butt clenching. That's good because my stomach is making some threatening noises and I want to make sure they stay put.
But concentrating is hard, particularly in getting your breathing sequence right.
Deep breath through the nose to fill up and exhale out while clenching butt, stomach and anything else you can think of. Easy. I feel a little light headed but that passes as I get into the work.
Breathe in. Clench. Activate the core. Exhale.
Breathe in. Clench. Activate. Exhale.
Breathe in. Clench. Exhale.
Breathe in. Exhale.
Breathe in. Exhale.
Bugger. Such is my relaxed, peaceful state. I've fallen asleep.
Luckily my trainer has left my side momentarily and I've managed to slip in 20 winks while she's gone. Now I'm back in the real world, hoping she didn't hear me snore.
I have to admit this isn't the first time I have nodded off at less than perfect moments.
Years ago, as the new sports reporter on a big newspaper, I drew the short straw one cold winter's night and headed out into the fog and cold to cover the New Zealand snooker and billiard championships.
Freezing and miserable outside it may have been but inside the venue it was warm and toasty with suitable refreshment and luxurious chairs to keep the smattering of spectators comfortable.
Being part of "the media" does have its advantages and I soon found myself positioned by an open fire in a comfy leather seat, cradling a brandy while two very quiet, studious men played billiards.
Such was my level of contentment I started to think I really had landed the dream job. Maybe I'd volunteer to come again next year. And this brandy is pretty good. Maybe I'll get some in for home. Maybe I'll get a chair like this. Maybe I'll ...
"Excuse me!"
The words jolted me from my thoughts and I discovered both players eyeing me disapprovingly. "Would you mind. We are trying to play and you were snoring".
Mortified, I muttered an apology and tried to disappear into the crowd. Unfortunately, by that stage my snoring had scared off the other two present - it would have been a very easy Mexican Wave - so there was nowhere to hide.
Having insulted the two players I felt it only right that I should do them the courtesy of watching every second of their encounter. I didn't know much about billiards and the game went on for hours before I could escape, and every second watching was a battle trying to keep my eyelids in the "up" position.
Needless to say, I wasn't invited back.
But I will be going back to pilates. I just hope I can stay awake to enjoy it.
