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.
And now you can do the same by listening to our interview.
Carolyne Anthony
Carolyne Anthony has been in the Dance, Fitness and Pilates world for over 30 years. She trained as a dancer in London, where she encountered her first Pilates class with Alan Herdman. She received her Diploma in Dance from Stella Mann College Carolyne is also a Birth Doula ,a level two Reiki practitioner, Level 1 Myofascial release practitioner (John Barnes approach) and an Esoteric Healer. She is certified by Polestar, the PMA and PhysicalMInd. Today The Center for Women’s Fitness has 17 host studios around the world, 17 faculty members and more than 700 certified teachers.
- PilatesBridge: How often do you personally practice Pilates?
Carolyne Anthony: I try to do something everyday 🙂 - PB: 3 of your favorite Pilates mat exercises.
CA: Roll over,rolling like a ball, swan - PB: 3 of your favorite Reformer exercises.
CA:Footwork, short spine,semi circle - PB: Your favorite piece of Pilates apparatus.
CA:Reformer - PB: What’s your favorite equipment manufacturer?
CA:Like them all - PB: The worst Pilates cue you’ve ever heard.
CA:Lengthy ones! - The main thing Pilates taught you over the years.
CA:To trust my body - PB: Links to your current projects.
CA:Women’s Health Pilates Specialist Certificate
The Center Method for Diastasis Recti Recovery
Questions discussed in the interview
- Carolyne, you are a huge advocate for women’s health, focusing mostly on prenatal and postnatal programs as well as Pilates for menopause. What was your motive in developing these programs?
- 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?
- Are there any books, DVDs, courses developed by The Center for Women’s Fitness that instructors and clients can use if they can’t visit the Center?
- Carolyne, could you please share with us a couple of your favorite mat and Reformer exercises for prenatal clients?
- Should clients be encouraged to do rotations and twists during pregnancy?
- Carolyne, a lot of women (including me) experience diastasis recti after having a baby. Could you please share with us some tips on how to strengthen the abdominal region and “glue back” the separated muscles and tissues? How to prevent it?
- What are your recommendations and main areas of focus for the instructors working with Prenatal/Postnatal clients?
- What training courses do you currently offer?
- What are your favorite resources (DVDs, books, courses etc) that could really help Pilates instructors learn more about teaching prenatal/postnatal as well as menopausal clients?
- What do you see in the future of Pilates and how do you see yourself contributing to that vision as a Pilates educator?
Resources mentioned by Carolyne in the interview: