Pilates in the Pines

Once you become pregnant there is no end to the litany of dos and don’ts that will come your way. And though we hate to admit it, when you finally do welcome your little joy into this world, the list will get longer.

During this time when everyone is telling you what you should be doing for the baby, we would like to encourage you to make sure you are also doing something for yourself.  With that in mind, one of the best things you can do for yourself (and yes, for the baby too) is to remain active. The healthier and stronger you are going into delivery, the faster you will recover. If your body is healthy and in shape, it will make an enormous difference when the time comes to push and in the following weeks as you begin to recover from giving birth.

Pilates is considered one of the safest types of exercises for pregnant women.

It is no secret that your activity levels will have to change with each trimester. If you’re an avid runner, you’re not going to be able to crank out the miles with a tummy the size of a watermelon leading the way. You will eventually have to nix the running all together until after the baby is born. Fortunately, there are other activities like Pilates, yoga, and even weight training that you can do throughout your pregnancy, with modified poses and techniques as you get closer to your delivery date.

In your first trimester, you should put a lot of focus on strengthening your core and your back. A strong back will help alleviate pain as you gain weight from the pregnancy, and your core is essential to delivering your baby. In your first trimester the physical changes are just beginning, so it’s the time to really target specific areas of your body to ensure that they are ready for action when its go-time. 

In the second trimester, the physical changes start to become a little more noticeable. You should avoid doing any poses that involve lying on your tummy or back once you are about halfway through your pregnancy. Additionally, you want to avoid doing poses that require you to stand on one leg or that may compromise your balance and could cause you to fall over.

By the time you’re in your third trimester, you’ll want to make sure you maintain your core strength and focus on toning your pelvic floor.

Another important detail to keep in mind as you continue your Pilates routine is that your body is producing a hormone called relaxin. This will make your ligaments looser and can cause you to damage your joints if you try to push them too far.

If you are pregnant and considering starting a Pilates class, make sure you have the approval of your doctor. Pilates can be a great activity to help strengthen your body so that when your little bundle of joy does arrive, you’re ready to go.
Pilates in the Pines offers private instruction and group classes. Sign up on line or call us for information.