Pilates is a body-mind approach to fitness. It was developed in the 1920’s and focuses on a routine that is corrective and conditions the body. The main aim of these exercises is to strengthen the body by working and developing the core, the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles of the body.

Women recovering from pregnancy are eager to get back into their pre-pregnancy shape. However they forget that their bodies have been through a lot and are still recovering. It is essential to first nurse the body back to strength and only then pursuing a high impact fitness routine. This is what makes Pilates such a great post-natal fitness regime.

Pilates After Pregnancy

Pilates is the perfect way to help your body get back into shape after pregnancy. It is full of gentle and low impact exercises that don’t strain the recovering body. These exercises help tone the body and in the process you lose weight and gain strength, all in one shot.

Pilates exercises focus on working the core muscles – abdominal and pelvic floor muscles – the muscles most affected during pregnancy and labor. During pregnancy the body undergoes a number of changes. The abdominal and pelvic muscles are stretched and weakened. Similarly, during pregnancy your body undergoes postural changes and needs realignment. In short, you body isn’t as strong as it used to be and cannot fully support your weight, at least not as effectively as it used to. Through Pilates, you can regain body strength. The simple, low impact exercises help in rebuilding and maintaining the body’s core muscles. They also help realign the spine and as a result, posture. In addition, the shape of the stomach is the most difficult to regain post birth. Pilates targets the area from inside to out, making the exercise much more effective.

New mother’s require lots of energy but don’t really have enough considering they are still in a phase of recovery. Daily care of the infant coupled with fatigue and a weakened abdominal can be exhausting. Pilates puts an emphasis on breathing. This increases the supply of oxygen and boosts blood circulation. This aids the healing process and increases energy. In addition, the slow nature and the rhythmic flow of the exercises give the body time to relax and recover. These exercises can strengthen the stretched pelvic floor muscles and as a result help the new mother in a number of ways - it improves sleep; minimizes depression; and negate bladder incontinences.

Pilates will help you regain strength and shape. In addition it’ll give a boost of energy and vitality that you need to completely enjoy this beautiful phase of your life.