Beginners, Improvers and Intermediate Pilates
We start with the basics of Pilates for those at a beginner level or for those who haven’t practised Pilates in a while, focusing on breathing correctly, pelvic placement, learning how to find and engage the pelvic floor and deep core muscles and working on correct placement/alignment of the spine and head. New exercises are introduced gradually and adapted where needed, progressing onto more intermediate exercises.
Antenatal Pilates
If you are looking for a safe form of exercise during your pregnancy, then look no further. Pilates is a safe and excellent form of exercise to help you to strengthen your core and your pelvic floor muscles, as well as bringing awareness to these important muscles, prepare for your birth and help you to prepare for the physical demands of motherhood. Antenatal Pilates can also help you to avoid common problems such as backache, postural imbalances, low energy levels and poor circulation.
If you have never practised Pilates or you have been inactive before becoming pregnant, it is advised that you wait until 12 weeks or after your 1st scan to start Pilates classes.
Postnatal Pilates
Postnatal Pilates works at building strength from the inside out. Classes concentrate on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles which are weakened by pregnancy and birth, retrain and strengthen the deep core muscles to help support your spine and pelvis and re-educate and correct postures following the natural changes to your body during pregnancy. The demands of being a new mum and the day to day care of a baby can leave new mums feeling pretty shattered, so getting some gentle exercise in will increase the production of endorphins which make you feel good, increases energy levels and reduces fatigue.
Whether you had a caesarean or vaginal birth, you can start your Postnatal Pilates after you have been given the all clear by your midwife or GP. Depending on your birth, sometimes a visit to a Women’s Health Physio can be beneficial to check how you are healing. Suzannah will check your tummy for diastasis recti before commencement of your first Pilates Class.