When designing exercises, Joseph Pilates considered the movements of animals–the limberness, the agility, the grace, the movement of the spine. One animal he particularly considered was the cat–especially when it comes to stretching.

Next time you are somewhere there is a cat (or if you live with one) watch the way it moves, notice how often it stretches. Try and replicate it’s movements and see if you see any similarities to Pilates exercises.