Clementine
16-04-08, 04:20 PM
I thought that some of the members may be interested in this article that appeared in a local NCT magazine last year on the topic of Pilates in Pregnancy:
"There is no question that a programme of eating well and taking exercise contributes to the well-being of pre and post natal women. This article sets out to provide information on Pilates (pronounced pi-lah-tees) for exercise as part of a healthy pregnancy and also how it can provide long-term health benefits.
Joseph Pilates was a German born sports fanatic and trained nurse who created a series of rehabilitation exercises for victims of the 1918 influenza pandemic. He became involved in training professional sports people and, in 1926 moved to the USA and opened his own studio with his wife Clara to teach what he called Contrology. This name reflects the link between the way the mind is expected to control the muscles of the body and how the Pilates method focuses on a few precise movements for specific areas.
â??As small bricks are employed to build large buildings, so will the development of small muscles help develop large musclesâ?. â?? Joseph Pilates
Pilates works on the small, stabilising muscles that support the spine. Pilates can help to re-balance your body by changing and correcting the way that you use your muscles to move. This means that when you are using your larger, mobilising muscles â?? for example to lift an arm or leg â?? the right stabilisers are at work to prevent you from falling over and to minimise the strain on your joints.
Adi Balogh, Director of Swiss Cottage Pilates Studio, London wrote an extensive article on Pilates and Pregnancy for MIDWIVES the official journal of the Royal College of Midwives (Vol8 No5) in May 2005. In this article she provides references to many recent studies on the problems associated with pregnancy including the incidence of back pain, the rise in hormones such as relaxin leading to softening of the ligaments and the loss of stability in certain joints as well as many others. She argues that Pilatesâ?? emphasis on core stability, breathing control and activation of the deep postural muscles particularly the transverses abdominus, make it an excellent exercise technique for pregnant women.
One of the most important areas in which Pilates can help is in strengthening the abdominal muscles without activating a condition called â??domingâ? which is a herniation of the abdominal contents through a weakened abdominal wall.
She does make two other key points in her article about Pilates in pregnancy:
- The importance of seeking out a Pilates specialist to learn these exercises. â??Learning to engage the transverses abdominus and perform the exercises correctly is not something that can be learnt from a book or videoâ?.
- There is a lack of governmental regulation for Pilates as a therapy within the UK so check the credentials of your chosen instructor carefully or seek out referrals from other patients or physiotherapists
But Pilates is not merely beneficial for pregnant women, it was designed as a complete physical fitness regime and is used by top athletes â?? the All Blacks have incorporated it into their training â?? and pop stars like Madonna give it credit for contributing to their lithe physiques. It is low impact, and concentrates on aligning and lengthening muscles rather than bulking them up.
The best news for â??normalâ? people is that whilst it can incorporate exercises on specialist equipment, a huge difference can be made using your own body as a weight whilst lying on your sitting room floor! There are many classes, videos and books available for those who are not pregnant and donâ??t have an existing back problem but wish to get started with Pilates. However, the fewer the people in the class, the more attention to your individual weak spots you will be able to have. Performed correctly Pilates can improve your strength, flexibility, energy levels, concentration and help prevent back pain for life â?? what are you waiting for?
If you would like to speak to a qualified Pilates instructor locally, you can contact Hillview Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic (01483 766668) in Woking, and ask to speak to Kevin Warner. It may also be possible for you to bring your baby with you during lessons!"
"There is no question that a programme of eating well and taking exercise contributes to the well-being of pre and post natal women. This article sets out to provide information on Pilates (pronounced pi-lah-tees) for exercise as part of a healthy pregnancy and also how it can provide long-term health benefits.
Joseph Pilates was a German born sports fanatic and trained nurse who created a series of rehabilitation exercises for victims of the 1918 influenza pandemic. He became involved in training professional sports people and, in 1926 moved to the USA and opened his own studio with his wife Clara to teach what he called Contrology. This name reflects the link between the way the mind is expected to control the muscles of the body and how the Pilates method focuses on a few precise movements for specific areas.
â??As small bricks are employed to build large buildings, so will the development of small muscles help develop large musclesâ?. â?? Joseph Pilates
Pilates works on the small, stabilising muscles that support the spine. Pilates can help to re-balance your body by changing and correcting the way that you use your muscles to move. This means that when you are using your larger, mobilising muscles â?? for example to lift an arm or leg â?? the right stabilisers are at work to prevent you from falling over and to minimise the strain on your joints.
Adi Balogh, Director of Swiss Cottage Pilates Studio, London wrote an extensive article on Pilates and Pregnancy for MIDWIVES the official journal of the Royal College of Midwives (Vol8 No5) in May 2005. In this article she provides references to many recent studies on the problems associated with pregnancy including the incidence of back pain, the rise in hormones such as relaxin leading to softening of the ligaments and the loss of stability in certain joints as well as many others. She argues that Pilatesâ?? emphasis on core stability, breathing control and activation of the deep postural muscles particularly the transverses abdominus, make it an excellent exercise technique for pregnant women.
One of the most important areas in which Pilates can help is in strengthening the abdominal muscles without activating a condition called â??domingâ? which is a herniation of the abdominal contents through a weakened abdominal wall.
She does make two other key points in her article about Pilates in pregnancy:
- The importance of seeking out a Pilates specialist to learn these exercises. â??Learning to engage the transverses abdominus and perform the exercises correctly is not something that can be learnt from a book or videoâ?.
- There is a lack of governmental regulation for Pilates as a therapy within the UK so check the credentials of your chosen instructor carefully or seek out referrals from other patients or physiotherapists
But Pilates is not merely beneficial for pregnant women, it was designed as a complete physical fitness regime and is used by top athletes â?? the All Blacks have incorporated it into their training â?? and pop stars like Madonna give it credit for contributing to their lithe physiques. It is low impact, and concentrates on aligning and lengthening muscles rather than bulking them up.
The best news for â??normalâ? people is that whilst it can incorporate exercises on specialist equipment, a huge difference can be made using your own body as a weight whilst lying on your sitting room floor! There are many classes, videos and books available for those who are not pregnant and donâ??t have an existing back problem but wish to get started with Pilates. However, the fewer the people in the class, the more attention to your individual weak spots you will be able to have. Performed correctly Pilates can improve your strength, flexibility, energy levels, concentration and help prevent back pain for life â?? what are you waiting for?
If you would like to speak to a qualified Pilates instructor locally, you can contact Hillview Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic (01483 766668) in Woking, and ask to speak to Kevin Warner. It may also be possible for you to bring your baby with you during lessons!"