EXERCISING WHILST PREGNANT
Specifically designed for pregnant women accommodating the changing needs of a woman’s body, there are many benefits of exercising whilst pregnant especially strengthening your back, core, arms and legs before baby arrives. Our classes are dedicated to supporting mums-to-be in maintaining fitness, building strength and encouraging stretching and are designed to utilise the essential principals of Yoga and Pilates together delivering a well rounded program.
Yoga for Pregnancy
Many health professionals agree that Yoga, when combined with a cardiovascular exercise such as walking, is an ideal way to maintain fitness when you’re pregnant. When you stretch or do Yoga, you’re toning your muscles and limbering up with little, if any, impact on your joints – good news for pregnant women.
Yoga is also beneficial because it helps you breathe and relax, which in turn can help you adjust to the physical demands of labour, birth, and motherhood. One of the first things you learn in a Yoga class is how to breathe fully. Learning how to breathe primes you for labour and childbirth, because it trains you to stay calm when you need it most. When you’re afraid – during labour, for example — the body produces adrenaline and shuts down the production of oxytocin, a hormone that makes labour progress.
Yoga training will help you fight the urge to tighten up when you feel the pain, and show you how to breathe, instead.
Pilates for Pregnancy
Similarly, the low impact approach of Pilates which trains your body to be strong and flexible, through a series of movements and positions coupled with deep breathing and relaxation are ideal for pregnant women wanting to maintain fitness.
The patterns of movement you’ll learn are focused on your tummy and pelvic floor called your stable core or base. These muscles are deep, stabilising muscles and are key to good posture, balance and strength.
Many Pilates exercises are performed on your hands and knees, which is an ideal position for pregnancy. Adopting this position can take some of the strain off your back and pelvis, and, towards the end of your pregnancy, may help to get your baby into the right position for birth.
Practicing with our trained professional instructors in small classes at The Leading Edge, means you have peace of mind knowing you’ll receive the appropriate guidance, correction and adjustments to nurture and progress your practice, ensuring you are mindful of your body’s different needs while pregnant.
No previous experience necessary and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. See our timetable for group sessions or read more about private sessions for individual personal training
Our Yoga and Pilates classes are the ideal way to get back in to shape once baby is born. We can help you regain fitness, lose baby weight and unveil an even better body than pre baby! Following a healthy fitness routine throughout pregnancy will ensure you can achieve these goals after childbirth.
Information sourced from www.babycenter.com.au