I've been attending a weekly Pilates class for nearly 18 months. I've seen the benefits in my daily life, increased flexibility, strength and range of motion. I find the hour that I spend focusing on my body movements and breathing both relaxing and energizing at the same time, if that makes any sense! My lessons are on a Sunday evening and I find it an amazing way to end the week and prepare myself for the week ahead.
I am lucky, my instructor is a trained pre-natal pilates instructor and while the classes are not strictly for pregnant women, she is very good at making the changes necessary so that I am still able to work the same muscle groups safely. While I am still able to do pretty much all of the exercises safely at this point I have trouble with my balance and tend not to do too many exercises that require me to be upside down. She's given me a book to read 'Pilates for Pregnancy' which I've only stared reading. It's a brilliant book that not only gives a simple explanation of the theories and principles behind Pilates but the changes that your body goes through and how certain exercises can and should be modified throughout pregnancy.
All of the research and reading I have done suggest that Pilates is the perfect exercise to do during pregnancy because it works the muscles and ligaments without putting stress on the joints and back. I'm hoping that my increased muscle strength and tone will help with a quick labor!
So far the muscle strength I've gained in my abs has helped to hide my baby bump, 15 weeks today and still very little sign of a belly!
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