
Effective indoor Pilates techniques you can practise at home
It suits home workouts perfectly, needing little space or equipment.
Practising pilates indoors regularly can enhance posture, sculpt muscles, and ease stress.
Whether you're just beginning or already experienced, these simple indoor Pilates strategies can help elevate your fitness with ease.
Pilates is kind to the joints while working to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles. It supports better posture, increases flexibility, and enhances overall body awareness.
Not only does it tone muscles without adding bulk, but the focus on controlled movements and breathwork also makes it a calming, mindful exercise that boosts both physical and mental wellbeing.
Start with basic mat Pilates moves
Begin your routine with fundamental mat exercises like the Hundred, Roll-Up, and Leg Circles. These don't require any equipment and are brilliant for developing alignment, flexibility, and core strength. Slow, mindful movement and proper breathing are key. All you need is a yoga mat and 10–15 minutes a day to get started comfortably at home.
Try virtual Pilates sessions
Tap into beginner-friendly Pilates classes through YouTube, apps, or subscription services. Certified instructors guide you through the movements with options for different fitness levels. This approach brings the quality of a studio session into your living room. Whether you've got ten or thirty minutes, it's a great way to stay engaged and on track with your Pilates practice.
Incorporate bands and Pilates rings
Enhance your indoor workouts with simple tools like resistance bands or a Pilates ring. These help increase intensity and activate deeper muscle engagement. Try ring squeezes or leg lifts with a band to tone your arms, thighs, and core. They're budget-friendly, light to store, and perfect for diversifying your routine with added resistance.
Focus on breathwork and posture
A key aspect of Pilates is breathing and posture control. Practise diaphragmatic breathing—inhaling through the nose and exhaling through pursed lips—to strengthen your core and calm the body. Combine this with posture exercises like shoulder rolls or spine stretches. Just five minutes of this can sharpen focus, strengthen the abdomen, and support your entire Pilates session.
Set up a calm home workout space
Dedicate a peaceful, clutter-free corner of your home for Pilates. Opt for a spot with good lighting, a soft floor, and room to fully stretch out. Keep a mat, water bottle, and perhaps calming music ready. A consistent space helps anchor your routine and makes it mentally easier to step into an exercise mindset each day.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
19-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Selling misinformation
Listen to article I was riding my bike, crossing an underpass, when I saw a man struggling to walk with a polio-affected leg. He gestured for a ride, and I stopped to help. As he settled on the seat behind me, I casually asked, "What happened to your leg?" He sighed and replied, "It is because of polio. When I was a child, my parents refused to get me vaccinated. They believed the polio vaccine was haram (forbidden) in Islam, and they had other excuses too — saying it was part of some conspiracy or that it would make me infertile." His words stayed in my mind. A life-changing disability, not by fate but by false information. This is the world we live in today. Influencers, not journalists, are shaping public discourse, and where truth competes with virality, engagement and profit-driven disinformation. The rise of digital content creators has fundamentally changed the way Pakistanis consume information, but not always for the better. Social media was supposed to democratise access to information, but instead, it has weaponised misinformation and disinformation, often at the cost of public health, democracy and social harmony. Unlike trained journalists who work under editorial scrutiny, influencers operate with zero accountability. They claim expertise on everything from politics to vaccines and yet, a majority of them do not verify their content before posting. A recent UNESCO report on digital content creators found that 42% of influencers determine credibility based on engagement rather than verification. The study also revealed that 59% of them have little or no knowledge of regulations on digital communication. In short, they are influencing millions without any understanding of the responsibility that comes with it. Pakistan has already witnessed the deadly consequences of information disorder. The tragic lynching of Mashal Khan in 2017, fueled by false blasphemy accusations on social media, was a scary reminder of how a single unchecked narrative can destroy a life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fake news about vaccine side effects undermined national immunisation efforts, delaying progress in combating the virus. Political misinformation, especially during elections, has fueled distrust and unrest. Influencers tied to interest groups amplify such narratives to boost engagement, weakening public trust in democratic institutions. A question arises. Why do they do it? The answer is simple: misinformation is profitable. Social media rewards controversy and outrage. The more sensational content, the more engagement it attracts. And engagement equals money, whether through brand endorsements, YouTube monetization or political sponsorships. The UNESCO study found that 52% of influencers create sponsored content, but nearly half fail to disclose their funding sources. This raises a critical ethical dilemma: are they shaping public opinion independently, or are they merely puppets for those who pay them? Countering this growing crisis requires more than just calling out fake news. The UNESCO Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms emphasise the need for transparency, accountability and digital literacy. Pakistan must enforce stricter policies on algorithmic accountability, ensuring that platforms disclose how they amplify misinformation. Fact-checking institutions must be strengthened, and media literacy programmes integrated into education curricula. Most importantly, Right to Information (RTI) laws must be fully enforced, ensuring proactive disclosure of certified information to minimise reliance on unreliable sources. But while regulating misinformation is essential, Pakistan's latest approach to countering fake news is deeply flawed and dangerously authoritarian. Instead of addressing digital literacy and algorithmic responsibility, the government has introduced draconian amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), criminalising "false and fake information" with penalties of up to three years in prison. At first glance, a law targeting disinformation may seem necessary. After all, misinformation is a serious problem. But who decides what is "fake" news? The state now claims the power to determine the truth; and in a country where press freedom is already under threat, this law is a clear attempt to silence dissent rather than counter disinformation. The PECA amendment expands the definition of a complainant, allowing government institutions and corporations to file cases against journalists and citizens alike. This means any critical reporting on the government or judiciary could be deemed "false" and punished. It further establishes a social media Regulatory Authority with unchecked powers, making the government both the judge and the jury in matters of digital content. Such broad definitions are ripe for abuse. Under this law, a journalist reporting on corruption or human rights violations could be jailed if the government deems the information "misleading". A citizen tweeting about inflation, censorship or political repression could face criminal charges if their post considered as "causes unrest". This is not about countering fake news; it is about controlling the narrative. History has repeatedly shown that censorship does not tackle misinformation. The answer to fake news is not imprisonment but education, transparency and effective fact-checking mechanisms. Instead of silencing journalists and citizens, Pakistan must hold social media platforms accountable for their role in amplifying disinformation. Instead of silencing voices, we need to invest in media literacy programmes to empower people to distinguish fact from fiction. The digital battlefield is real, and Pakistan stands at a crossroads. Do we fight fake news through education and regulation of tech platforms, or do we surrender to state-controlled truth? The future of our democracy, governance and freedom of expression depends on this choice.


Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Matcha: the Japanese tea taking over the world
SAYAMA, Japan: Matcha is the new drink of choice at hip cafes worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea. Here's what you need to know about the drink beloved of weekend treat-seekers and 'wellness' influencers: What is matcha? The word matcha means 'ground tea' in Japanese and comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is whisked with hot water and can be added to milk to make a matcha latte. Green tea was introduced to Japan from China in the early ninth century, and was first used for medicinal purposes. Matcha came much later, in 16th century Kyoto – part of the tea ceremony tradition developed by tea master Sen no Rikyu. Today, there are different grades of matcha quality, from 'ceremonial' to 'culinary' types used in baking. How is it produced? Matcha is made from leaves called 'tencha', which are grown in the shade in the final weeks before their harvest to concentrate the flavour, colour and nutrients. This 'requires the construction of a complex structure with poles and a roof to filter the light', explained Masahiro Okutomi, a tea producer in Sayama, northwest of Tokyo. Tencha leaves, rich in chlorophyll and L-theanine, a compound known for its relaxing effects, are hand-picked and deveined, then steamed, dried and ground between two stone mills to produce an ultra-fine powder. It can take up to an hour to produce just 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of matcha – making the powder on average twice as expensive to produce as standard green tea leaves. What are its benefits? - Many drink matcha for its rich grass-like taste, but others are drawn to the drink's nutritional properties. It is rich in antioxidants, and can aid concentration because of its caffeine content: one cup contains on average 48 milligrams, slightly less than a drip coffee but nearly twice as much as a standardly brewed green tea. 'Matcha is often seen as being good for your health,' said Shigehito Nishikida, manager of Tokyo tea shop Jugetsudo. 'But people are also attracted to the Japanese culture around tea: the ritual, the time taken, the aesthetics,' he said. Why is it so popular? Japan produced 4,176 tonnes of matcha in 2023 – a huge increase from the 1,430 tonnes in 2012. More than half of the powder is exported, according to the agriculture ministry, mostly to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Millions of videos on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional 'chasen' bamboo whisk. 'I feel like Gen Z really drove this enthusiasm for matcha, and they heavily relied on social media to do so,' Stevie Youssef, a 31-year-old marketing professional, told AFP at a matcha bar in Los Angeles. Matcha can also be used in cooking, extending its appeal to others aside from tea lovers. 'Some customers simply enjoy drinking it, others like preparing it themselves. And of course, many buy it as a gift – Japanese matcha is always appreciated,' said Jugetsudo's Nishikida.


Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Effective indoor Pilates techniques you can practise at home
Pilates is a gentle, low-impact form of exercise that targets core strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness. It suits home workouts perfectly, needing little space or equipment. Practising pilates indoors regularly can enhance posture, sculpt muscles, and ease stress. Whether you're just beginning or already experienced, these simple indoor Pilates strategies can help elevate your fitness with ease. Pilates is kind to the joints while working to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles. It supports better posture, increases flexibility, and enhances overall body awareness. Not only does it tone muscles without adding bulk, but the focus on controlled movements and breathwork also makes it a calming, mindful exercise that boosts both physical and mental wellbeing. Start with basic mat Pilates moves Begin your routine with fundamental mat exercises like the Hundred, Roll-Up, and Leg Circles. These don't require any equipment and are brilliant for developing alignment, flexibility, and core strength. Slow, mindful movement and proper breathing are key. All you need is a yoga mat and 10–15 minutes a day to get started comfortably at home. Try virtual Pilates sessions Tap into beginner-friendly Pilates classes through YouTube, apps, or subscription services. Certified instructors guide you through the movements with options for different fitness levels. This approach brings the quality of a studio session into your living room. Whether you've got ten or thirty minutes, it's a great way to stay engaged and on track with your Pilates practice. Incorporate bands and Pilates rings Enhance your indoor workouts with simple tools like resistance bands or a Pilates ring. These help increase intensity and activate deeper muscle engagement. Try ring squeezes or leg lifts with a band to tone your arms, thighs, and core. They're budget-friendly, light to store, and perfect for diversifying your routine with added resistance. Focus on breathwork and posture A key aspect of Pilates is breathing and posture control. Practise diaphragmatic breathing—inhaling through the nose and exhaling through pursed lips—to strengthen your core and calm the body. Combine this with posture exercises like shoulder rolls or spine stretches. Just five minutes of this can sharpen focus, strengthen the abdomen, and support your entire Pilates session. Set up a calm home workout space Dedicate a peaceful, clutter-free corner of your home for Pilates. Opt for a spot with good lighting, a soft floor, and room to fully stretch out. Keep a mat, water bottle, and perhaps calming music ready. A consistent space helps anchor your routine and makes it mentally easier to step into an exercise mindset each day.