Pregnancy

The Pilates Method is one of the most suitable exercises during pregnancy. By strengthening the core of the body (dubbed the 'girdle of strength' by Joseph Pilates), and allowing the abdominal muscles to work in synergy with the small of the back and the pelvic floor, Pilates can help make Pregnancy a little more comfortable and helps 'train' the core muscles for child birth.

Pilates exercises strengthen and tone your postural muscles that are used to carry the baby, help delivery, and get you back in shape after the birth. They can help to make your labour easier and recover your figure! Strengthening the back and improving posture makes it easier to carry your baby with less risk of injury. Your pilates workout should evolve through the varying stages of pregnancy, with the exercises being specific to your bodies changing needs from week 1 to week 39.

Pilates can also be beneficial to your baby. Pilates is a gentle exercise that will encourage extra oxygen and nutrients to flow to your unborn child, and the breathing techniques learned can contribute to a smoother delivery. Pilates is also well known for focusing the mind, so using it as a way to take time for yourself, away from your busy life, to help you relax, reduce your stress and ultimately benefit your bump!

Long gone are the days when women had to limit their exercise in pregnancy to a gentle swim. And why should you? You don't want to lose control of your body just because you're pregnant.

Postnatal

Following your pregnancy and the stress that your body goes through during birth it’s essential that you rebuild your overall fitness and flexibility. Postnatal pilates classes will help you strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and speed up your body’s postnatal recovery.

Look for classes specifically designed for new mums. They’re great for getting abdominal and pelvic floor muscles working again!

The techniques used in pilates have been described as the ultimate body conditioning workout. This is probably more relevant post pregnancy because Pilates focuses on developing core abdominal strength. Pilates will not only benefit muscle tone and strength in those muscle groups that need it most, post pregnancy, but will also help to de-stress and encourage relaxation while being active.