Being pregnant is said to be one of the most beautiful phases of a woman’s life. This phase, although lovely, is also strenuous on a woman’s body. Lower back pain is common during pregnancy due to change in the center of gravity, some women also feel stressed and disoriented. In order to feel an overall well-being during your pregnancy it is important to exercise and Pilates is a great option.

Pilates is a safe, low impact, injury free form of exercise customized to each client’s needs. It offers a safe and beneficial form of exercise to pregnant women. It is important to exercise during pregnancy as it limits excessive weight gain, and also helps the mother to cope with labour better and get back into shape quickly post-delivery. It also strengthens the body and improves posture and flexibility. Pilates relieves common problems associated with pregnancy such as backache, ligament pain, thoracic pain and pubic symphysis pain. It also helps increase awareness and stability. Specific core and pelvic floor exercises help to minimize the occurrence abdominal separation (rectus diastasis). Every woman has a different and unique experience of pregnancy; hence all prenatal Pilates programs are designed to suit the individual. When done correctly and at a suitable level, Pilates helps to develop a strong core, reduces pain and also helps increase stability.

Exercising post-delivery is as important as pre-delivery. The exercise routine depends on the form of delivery – natural or cesarean. A Pilates routine is generally designed accordingly. Often woman are in a hurry to lose weight after delivery but one must progress slowly. It is important to get the form right and ensure the exercise is right for you. Incorrect exercise could harm the body. For example, doing abdominal crunches if you have rectus diastasis could increase the size of abdominal separation. Hence, a customized routine is what you need. Pilates helps strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles, and the upper body strengthening exercises teach you how to lift and hold your baby without developing back, neck or wrist pains. It also increases lower body strength, which helps you stay on your toes for your growing baby. It also energizes you and reduces fatigue.

Doing Pilates before, during and after pregnancy is ideal for increased strength, flexibility, and general well-being. Pilates can be your regular form of exercise, as it is beneficial to all and is customized to suit individual needs.

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