Pilates and Pregnancy The Perfect Match!

 We’ve discussed the benefits of Pilates for all individuals.  Over the last few weeks I’ve been so many adorable pregnant women around town, so I wanted to focus this article on how great Pilates are during pregnancy.
When you are pregnant, many changes happen to your body.  During pregnancy, the hormone Relaxin is released and (just like it sounds) it literally relaxes your ligamints and loosens your joints.  This shift, increasing with each passing week of pregnancy, is important because it allows your pelvis to become super flexible and open, creating all the space you need to birth your baby.  However this same hormone doesn’t only target in the pelvic area.  All of your joints are affected including your wrists, knees and ankles.  Even after the pregnancy, it takes time for all of your ligaments to tighten back up and the effects to be reversed.  The Take-away? You are more prone to injury during those critical times when your body is focused on growing and giving birth to your baby.
This is where Pilates comes in.  Because Pilates is modified for your own body, your instructor will design a program that will strengthen your tummy, back and pelvic floor muscles while protecting your relaxed joints and ligamints.
Pilates will:
• Strengthen your tummy muscles – equipping your body to cope with the strains caused by the weight of your growing baby.
• Reduce your back pain – by exercising the deepest tummy muscles that stabilize your back and pelvis.
• Strengthen your pelvic floor – which will help to support your bowel, bladder and uterus as your baby grows and moves down (helps prevent embarrassing urine leakage when coughing or sneezing)
• Helps with balance – as you may feel a little more clumsy, or that your balance isn’t as good as usual when pregnant. Pilates exercises strengthen your core and may make you more stable when you walk as your baby grows inside you.
• Takes the strain off your back and pelvis – by using modified exercise positions that take the weight off of you, allowing you to still great an incredible workout.
• Help you to Relax and control your breathing – which is important for pregnancy and giving birth.
An important note – Be sure to check that your Pilates instructor is experienced and trained in teaching pregnant women!
For more information contact Complete Pilates & Fitness at 661-208-8900 or visit www.completepilatesfitness.com.