diff --git a/model.py b/model.py
index e2247ff..afb9df0 100644
--- a/model.py
+++ b/model.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+import torch
 import numpy as np
 import smplx
 from human_body_prior.body_model.body_model_vposer import BodyModelWithPoser
+from human_body_prior.tools.model_loader import load_vposer
 
 
 class VPoserModel():
@@ -17,7 +19,8 @@ class VPoserModel():
         sample_shape=False,
         sample_expression=False,
         num_expression_coeffs=10,
-        use_face_contour=False
+        use_face_contour=False,
+        use_vposer=True
     ):
         self.vposer_model_path = vposer_model_path
         self.model_type = model_type
@@ -29,10 +32,12 @@ class VPoserModel():
         self.sample_expression = sample_expression
         self.num_expression_coeffs = num_expression_coeffs
         self.create_body_pose = create_body_pose
+        self.use_vposer = use_vposer
 
         self.create_model()
 
     def create_model(self):
+
         self.model = BodyModelWithPoser(
             bm_path="./models/smplx/SMPLX_MALE.npz",
             batch_size=1,
@@ -62,7 +67,9 @@ class SMPLyModel():
         sample_expression=True,
         num_expression_coeffs=10,
         plotting_module='pyrender',
-        use_face_contour=False
+        use_face_contour=False,
+        use_vposer_init=False,
+        device=torch.device('cpu')
     ):
         self.model_folder = model_folder
         self.model_type = model_type
@@ -76,12 +83,28 @@ class SMPLyModel():
         self.plotting_module = plotting_module
         self.use_face_contour = use_face_contour
         self.create_body_pose = create_body_pose
+        self.use_vposer_init = use_vposer_init
+        self.device = device
 
     def create_model(self):
+        initial_pose = None
+        if self.use_vposer_init:
+            # sample a valid human shape via vposer
+            vp, ps = load_vposer("./vposer_v1_0")
+            vp = vp.to(device=self.device)
+            self.vp = vp
+            self.vposer_sample = torch.from_numpy(
+                np.random.randn(1, 32).astype(np.float32)).to(device=self.device)
+
+            # sample SMPL body pose from vposer
+            initial_pose = self.vp.decode(
+                self.vposer_sample, output_type='aa').view(-1, 63)
+
         self.model = smplx.create(
             self.model_folder,
             model_type=self.model_type,
             gender=self.gender,
+            body_pose=initial_pose,
             use_face_contour=self.use_face_contour,
             create_body_pose=self.create_body_pose,
             num_betas=self.num_betas,