My new love...Pilates
When I was about 10 years old I fell out of a tree, suffered a concussion & hurt my back pretty bad. Nowadays, twenty odd years later I'd still experience daily aches & pains from that fall until...Pilates. Last year I'd had enough of rolling out of bed like I was 90 years old & signed up for classes & I'm not stretching the truth even just a little - my back & hip pain has dissipated, I no longer feel my body swaying when I walk & let me reiterate MUCH LESS PAIN! Taking weekly or sometimes even bi-weekly classes at Progressive Pilates, sessions limited to 6 & an online booking system means I'm much less likely to not show up - having only slept in once what I love most is that I can take a 6.30am class & be home just as the boys are waking up for the day.
Pilates isn't just for fitness fanatics {thank goodness for that huh?!}. Founded in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates a physical trainer, Pilates is a method of exercise consisting of low impact flexibility & muscular strength movements for the whole body without building bulk. It has an emphasis on postural alignment, core strength & muscle balance, all movements are co-ordinated with breathing patterns, I actually think the breathing is the hardest part to get the hang of when first getting started.
I asked the gals at Progressive Pilates if they had any pointers for you, especially if you are a new or expectant mum, and here's what they had to say;
We don’t recommend that anyone starts Pilates for the first time while they are pregnant, as you want to avoid adding anything new into your routine. If you have already practiced Pilates before, or even better you have practiced regularly up until your pregnancy you are absolutely fine to keep practicing once pregnant. Just ensure that you are in a suitable class, and you discretely inform whoever is instructing you that you're expecting. Post pregnancy Pilates is great for anyone whether they have practiced Pilates before or not. Keen to give Pilates a try? It is a progression-based fitness, a workout that is both effective & safe, suitable for all ages, gender and fitness levels. Our biggest suggestion is that you contact your local studio and provide them with as much information as possible about yourself, including any issues or injuries - from there you'll get the best guidance as to what class would be most appropriate for you. - Progressive Pilates
Furthermore, Progressive Pilates tell us about the benefits of Pilates which has wide applicability if you are seeking;
- Longer, leaner muscles {less bulk, more freedom of movement}
- Improved posture
- Increased core strength, stability & peripheral mobility
- Greater resistance to injury
- Balance between strength & flexibility
- Heightened body awareness
- Enhanced functional fitness & ease of movement
- Improvement in sport
- Improved balance, co-ordination & circulation
If you wanna join me & enjoy a full body workout on the Reformer {a spring-based exercise apparatus btw, that helps you strengthen & lengthen muscles simultaneously} I'll see ya at the 6.30am class at Progressive Pilates. You can contact them HERE & tell them all about yourself so they can adequately place you be sure to mention it's your first time so you can make use of their Intro Offer, 5 classes for $100
Not in Hamilton? How about an online Mat Pilates Class! In 2020 Laura Mohi of Wild Pilates launched her worldwide Online Studio, the desire came in recognition of the busy lives we lead & to make Pilates classes more accessible & affordable. At $19.99 + GST a month & an expanding library with one new video loaded each week she has achieved that. Laura offers a weekly schedule, 30-day challenge & even has classes dedicated to beginners as well as prenatal & postnatal workouts. Laura's high quality Pilates classes are designed to lengthen and strengthen the entire body & are accessible on demand, anywhere, anytime.
Laura has kindly shared this 22 minute postpartum workout with us, a tester into her Online Studio, if you fall in love {that's not gonna be hard} pop over to Wild Pilates & sign up to their 7-day free trial & enjoy being motivated by Laura @wildpilates Remember to go at your own place & it's always a good idea to receive clearance before resuming exercise postpartum.
If you suffer from aches & pains or this sound like something you can vibe with then I encourage you to give it a go, I think you may love it. Ren. X