As a mother of two, I practiced Pilates throughout both my pregnancies and afterwards to aid my post partum recovery.
Pregnancy Pilates
There are many myths surrounding exercises during pregnancy. Pilates is safe to practice throughout pregnancy and no prior experience is necessary. Gentle exercise such as Pilates can help alleviate many of the unpleasant side effects of pregnancy, such as fatigue and morning sickness and can leave you feeling more energised.
There are many benefits of practicing Pilates during pregnancy including:
- Strengthening abdominal and pelvic floor muscles
- Reducing back pain
- Improving balance
- Helping maintain a healthy weight
- Maintain muscular strength, endurance and tone which in turn will help during labour, possibility speeding up the process.
- Speeding up post-partum recovery
Post Natal Pilates
Getting back into shape after having a baby is a gradual process which should not be rushed as this could lead to setbacks. Remember it takes 9-12 months for you to return back to your pre-pregnancy shape and fitness level. Every one of us has a different experience of pregnancy and labour, with our own complications and issues. We should not compare ourselves to others especially celebrities who seem to bounce back into pre pregnancy shapes overnight. It took your body a full 9 months to stretch and accommodate your growing baby; it only stands to reason that it will take same amount of time, or longer, to go back. Your body has undergone a huge trauma giving birth and your body needs to heal from that too.
Post-natal Pilates classes is aimed at ladies 6 weeks + post-partum (12 weeks + post caesarean). No prior Pilates experience is necessary and pre-crawling babies are welcome.
Benefits include
- Rehabilitating abdominal wall and pelvic floor muscles
- Strengthening core muscles to help with
- Improve posture by helping correct muscle imbalances and strengthening the core, following pregnancy.
- Help regain confidence post-partum
- Strengthen the body to help when caring for baby (lifting, bathing, changing, carrying etc).
- Exercise can help improve circulation which in turn can help healing. This will enhance the immune system, improve digestion and provide better quality of sleep.