Published By: Personal Best Pilates Studio | 6600 College Boulevard, Suite 210, Overland Park, Kansas
| About Us | Help | Register for Classes If anybody’s an expert on prenatal workouts, it’s … the Marine Corps? Well, sure. They have had fitness pretty well figured out for a long time. And among their obstetric recommendations? Prenatal Pilates.
We couldn’t agree more.
It’s just nice to hear the Marines fall in step with what a lot of us have been saying for a long time. (more…)
When you’re stretching out on the refromer, do you ever think to yourself – “who came up with this?” We all owe a debt of gratitude to the forward thinking master of “contrology” or “Pilates” to Joseph Pilates.
German born Joseph Pilates was working in England when he was placed in forced internment in England at the outbreak of WWI. While in the internment camp, he began to develop exercises that eventually evolved into what we now know “Pilates”.
In the camp, Joseph Pilates worked to rehabilitate other detainees who were suffering from diseases and injuries. It was invention born of necessity that inspired him to use items that were available to him. Bed springs and beer keg rings became resistance equipment, and were the unlikely beginnings of the equipment used today, like the reformer and the magic circle.
Joseph Pilates was quoted to say “I’m fifty years ahead of my time”, and “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness”. He was right on both accounts. He would be astounded to see what his method of exercise has developed into, but he might also be thrilled and surprised to see how well Pilates has been accepted.
Pilates was an educator, entrepreneur, businessman, self-taught fitness guru and author. His books “Your Life” written in 1934 and “Return to Life Through Contrology” written in 1945 give you peek into the mind of this confident and seemingly tireless man.
It’s safe to say the exercise and fitness world would not be the same with out his contributions.
Women make a lot of lifestyle changes while pregnant. Doing what’s best for Baby’s growth and development becomes a primary focus, but too often that focus is on the pleasures expecting mothers give up: sushi, soft cheeses, alcohol, and caffeine–just to name a few.
Change doesn’t have to be about deprivation. Why not embrace a lifestyle change which not only benefits Baby, but also Mom? Practicing prenatal pilates can keep your body strong and flexible for a healthy delivery and recovery.
A recent article in the Minnetonka Patch quotes pilates instructor Lesley Koehnan:
“Prenatal Pilates teaches pregnant women body awareness for labor and delivery,” said Koehnan.
Koenan goes on to say that pilates can “strengthen the muscles of the legs, pelvis, arms, shoulders– and of course the core muscles, which are the muscles that hug our baby.”
In addition to the increased physical stamina and flexibility, pilates also conditions the mind through intense concentration, attention to breathing and muscular control. Breathing and mind-body connection play a large role in a healthy labor and delivery.
Can the same be said about coffee, rare tuna, or Brie?
If you’re interested in a pregancy lifestyle change with benefits for you and your baby, contact us for more information about our pilates class schedule.