Move of the week: Criss-cross

Lay on your back with your hands behind your head, elbows extended in a butterfly position and knees in a tabletop position. Lee Hoagland / The National

Lashley Pulsipher, a Pilates instructor at Exhale fitness studio in Dubai, demonstrates the third exercise in our eight-part weekly series of Pilates workouts. Do this move alone or incorporate it into your own fitness routine or watch this space over the next five weeks to create a comprehensive regime. Go to www.thenational.ae/bodyandsoul, where we collect the workouts and post video demonstrations.

"A superb abdominal exercise because it specifically targets all four abdominal muscles."

Lay on your back with your hands behind your head, elbows extended in a butterfly position and knees in a tabletop position.

Curl your body off the mat and as you exhale, extend your left leg and curl your left shoulder towards your right knee.

Exhale and repeat by switching to the other side. Aim with your armpit and not your elbow so as not to cheat yourself out of the rotation.

Top tip: "Go for it, and try doing 10 of these abdominal exercises in a row."

Mat Pilates classes at Exhale start at Dh60; Reformer Pilates costs Dh400 for a package of five sessions or Dh750 for 10. For details and timings, visit www.exhaledubai.com or call 04 424 3777