TOP Pilates teacher Nisha Srivastava, who opened her St Helens studio last year, offered me a taster session in gyrotonics, which she now offers at the centre.

Nisha, who lives in Rainhill, said she believes her Claughton Street studio is one of just two centres in the north west where the technique - used by Wimbledon champion Andy Murray - is practised.

Nisha, 45, explained that gyrotonics is a training method used by top sportsmen and women, as it aids complete mobility through the core. She has worked with Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany in the technique.

The Gyrotonic Expansion System was developed in 1942 by Hungarian swimmer, gymnast and ballet dancer Juliu Horvath after his personal struggle with chronic pain and injury.

At Nisha's Northwest Pilates Centre, a piece of equipment called a gyrotonic pulley tower, which, like all the apparatus in the studio, has a faint whiff of torture chamber about it - is used.

Nisha, who learned gyrotonics over a three-year period, travelling to Switzerland for training, said: "This pulley was made in Hungary and is an antique.

"It has always drawn a lot of interest from people visiting the studio, and has a number of uses.

"The straps that go around your hands or feet are old horse stirrups."

She explained that many traditional exercises work the body in straight lines - and don't address the full range of motions the body makes when it twists, reaches or pivots.

She said footballers or tennis players, who often have to quickly change direction or jump upwards on a diagonal, benefit from this form of exercise.

Throughout my workout, Nisha explained the importance of using core muscles, in the pelvis and back, rather than limbs to power movements.

Using the pulley tower, as well as a wooden pole and a plank, my body was working in long continuous movements from toe to head or vice versa.

During one exercise, she told me: "It is hard work because you're using your arms; if you use your core it will feel easier."

Once I had engaged the right muscle group, the movements - though not easy - flowed, and were quicker and smoother.

As we worked, Nisha made minor adjustments to my back, shoulders and arms so I would get maximum benefit from the session, and afterwards I felt energised and enlightened.

Anyone who would like information about Pilates or gyrotonic classes with Nisha, can visit pilates4sport.com or call 0800 246 1251.