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Slide 1: Pregnancy is not a disease. Unless there is a medical reason for having nine months of bed rest, regular exercise is good for you. Obviously discovering you are pregnant is not the best time to start training for a marathon, but there is no reason why you should not do gentle exercise during pregnancy, so with this in mind, what are the benefits of Pilates during pregnancy and is Pilates and pregnancy a good idea? Pilates and pregnancy work well together and lots of women start (or continue with) Pilates classes during pregnancy. Like any type of moderate exercise, Pilates is good for the physical and emotional wellbeing of a pregnant woman and staying active is very important for the health of you and your baby. What are the benefits of Pilates during pregnancy? There are lots of benefits of Pilates during pregnancy as Pilates can be modified to suit all stages of a woman's pregnancy and the exercises can be adapted as your body changes. Pilates exercise places a great deal of importance on breathing techniques and learning to focus on your breathing in a controlled fashion will be very beneficial in preparation for labour. Exercising regularly during pregnancy can help to prevent you from gaining excessive amounts of weight. It can also help you regain your figure quicker once the baby is born as you will find it easier to kick-start your post natal exercise program if you have stuck to a regular exercise regime during pregnancy. Pilates is great for strengthening core muscles. Many pregnant women suffer from back problems during pregnancy, but practicing Pilates can help to strengthen muscles that support the back, which in turn will help to prevent back pain as well as relieve it. What do I need to be careful about when practicing Pilates during pregnancy? Pregnancy causes joints and ligaments to soften. In the later stages of pregnancy some of the mat exercises will be unsuitable and you will need to be careful not to strain any muscles and ligaments. The abdominal muscles can also sometimes separate in the last trimester and if this happens to you, it is safer to take a break from Pilates Classes until after your baby is born. It is important to eat well if you are exercising during pregnancy as you will be using extra calories. Keep a check on how you are feeling at all times and if you are tired or not feeling 100% it is better to rest rather than do your Pilates class. If at any stage you feel dizzy or unwell whilst practicing Pilates, stop immediately. Can I start Pilates during pregnancy if I haven't tried it before? If you have not tried Pilates before, it is better to start with a Pilates Class especially designed for pregnant women. The instructor will able to advise you on which exercises are suitable and it will also be a good opportunity to make friends with other pregnant women. Do not be tempted to try Pilates on your own if you are inexperienced.
Slide 2: Pilates can offer lots of health benefits, so if you have not discovered the advantages of Pilates yet, give it a go and see what a great form of exercise it can be during pregnancy. For more useful advice, check out my Pilates information site website. It's full of helpful advice and information on the health benefits of Pilates. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachelle_Le_Monnier ==== ==== People Everywhere Are Discovering A Way To Live Life Pain-Free And FULL Of Energy And Vitality. Find out how, by checking out: http://pilatesexercises.yoga-for.com/ ==== ====