| Everybody knows that whether you work in or outside | | | | an uncanny resemblance to medieval weapons of |
| of the home, once you have a baby your time is not | | | | torture) that one used to perform the movements but |
| your own. So how do you get your body back to its | | | | modern Pilates has been adapted so that one can |
| pre-baby condition or maybe even a little better? | | | | practise it at home using nothing more than a mat. |
| Pilates. It is a set of controlled movements designed to | | | | If you have other children as well, why not get them |
| work specifically your core muscles, abdominals and | | | | involved? Pilates is a wonderful way to improve |
| back, the very muscles that take huge strain during | | | | children's balance and co-ordination not to mention |
| pregnancy, birth and beyond. | | | | fostering a healthy attitude towards exercise. Above |
| Your abdominal muscles get very stretched during | | | | all its fun and they get some uninterrupted mom time |
| pregnancy and can take a long time to become toned | | | | at a stage when all the focus seems to be on the |
| again afterwards leading to many complaints not least | | | | new arrival. |
| of which is back pain. Who wants to be suffering | | | | All that is needed is 10 to 20 minutes per day to start |
| stabbing pain every time you bend down to pick up | | | | seeing results (perfect while your little one naps, leave |
| your baby? Pilates is a great way of keeping these | | | | the dishes you can do them later!). These exercises |
| muscles in shape while you are pregnant too, preparing | | | | can be done in the comfort of your own home |
| your body for the rigours of labour and drastically | | | | although it is advisable to get some instruction first as |
| reducing your recovery time after birth. If you are | | | | the point of Pilates is to do controlled movements |
| pregnant and want to begin Pilates, always consult an | | | | correctly to maximize the effectiveness. You can join |
| instructor for help and advice so as not to cause any | | | | a class, otherwise there are many brilliant DVDs, books |
| further strain on your body or risk for the baby. Pilates | | | | or even online instructors that can get you started. |
| can even be done after a c-section although it is | | | | So no huffing and puffing, no expensive gym contracts |
| advisable to wait until your scar has completely healed, | | | | which let's face it nobody actually has the time to use |
| usually about six weeks, before starting any exercise | | | | when you've just had a baby. No more excuses, start |
| routine, including Pilates. | | | | today, defining your body back to what it used to be |
| When Joseph Pilates first designed the movements | | | | and who knows maybe even the body you've always |
| back in the 1900's he had fantastic machines(they bore | | | | wanted! |