What is one of the most natural events in the life of a woman?
Pregnancy and birth, for sure.
But women during pregnancy are often treated as if they were sick. Their exercise options are limited. They are not taught to learn their body and listen to it. They are not taught to enjoy this amazing time of their lives.
Women are told what they should NOT do but very few exercise and medical professionals tell them what they SHOULD be doing for their bodies.
Pregnancy and child birth are more than just a physical event in the life of a woman. It’s an emotional period that touches every aspect of her life. And she needs more than just an exercise routine that teaches her how many squats she can do and how fast she can run.
Carolyne Anthony of The Center for Women’s Fitness has devoted her Pilates career to Prenatal/Postnatal Pilates. She’s been devoted to Pilates for over 30 years and her personal pregnancy has motivated her to create a Pilates program that doesn’t merely teach women how to exercise but teaches them to embrace their female physique and become aware of their bodies.
Today we are talking about Prenatal Pilates. If you are a woman you will definitely benefit from listening to it. The instructors will learn helpful tips on how to work with Prenatal/Postnatal clients. And Pilates students will learn something new about their bodies.
I was lucky enough to talk to Carolyne while I was still pregnant with my second set of twins. Her advice and her book (The Pilates Way to Birth) proved to be the most valuable resources for me. While still at the hospital after my C-section I used exercises that Carolyne shared with me to start reawakening my core and rebuilding my strength. I was truly blessed to connect with Carolyne and talk to her about pregnancy and beyond.
Questions discussed in the interview
- How can Pilates be helpful for prenatal/postnatal clients? How can Pilates prepare a woman’s body for labor and beyond?
- Are there any special breathing techniques to help women through labor and delivery?
- Best mat and Reformer exercises for prenatal clients
- How can one prevent and treat diastasis recti?
- What are your recommendations and main areas of focus for the instructors working with Prenatal/Postnatal clients?
- What do you see in the future of Pilates and how do you see yourself contributing to that vision as a Pilates educator?