Pilates during pregnancy: Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy! As your pregnancy progresses, your body changes to accomodate the baby and prepare you for birth. Pilates can help to:

• Improve posture (and help reduce back pain as a result)
• Promote better circulation
• Strengthen your core muscles, including pelvic floor thus preparing you for the birth and after
• Relax!

Exercises can be modified depending on how far through the pregnancy you are.

Post natal pilates: After the birth, your body can take a while to get back to its pre-pregnancy condition. Pilates is a great way to:

• Regain your muscle tone post pregnancy, strengthen those muscles that are weakened during pregnancy and help you on your way to a flatter stomach
• Lessen back pain caused by poor posture
• Strengthen your pelvic floor thus helping with bladder control

Why not get together with a group of your pregnant or post natal friends and enjoy learning pilates together?

Iis recommended that you wait until after your 14th week of pregnancy before starting any new form of exercise. Please ensure that you talk to your GP or midwife first.

Equally, if you are taking up pilates post pregnancy, it is advisable to ensure that you have been cleared by your doctor to commence exercise after your six week post natal check