Mind & Soul
PRENATAL
P I L AT E S E X E R C I S E S F O R S T R O N G E R B AC K
It is a blessing to be able to bring life to the world. It goes without saying that pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but it can also be overwhelming if we ignored the needs of our body, soul, and mind. We know that it is in our best interest to feed all three aspects the same way we strive to feed our baby. In this article, we will focus on the first aspect, the body, and talk more about one of the renowned forms of prenatal exercise, known as Pilates. Pilates is a low-impact exercise that combines flexibility and strength training, offering unraveled benefits for pregnant women. It is regarded as one of the best ways to enhance posture, improve balance and stability, control weight gain, and strengthen all body parts that often tend to cause pain during pregnancy such as the back, legs, pelvic floor, hips, and lower back among others . Needless to mention how safe, fun, and effective it can be if professional guidance is seeked. So gear up and let’s get started! 5 PRECAUTIONS FOR AN EFFECTIVE WORKOUT Pilates is considered to be safe during pregnancy; however, it is imperative to take your precautions to benefit from these workouts and lessen the chances of getting injured. Seek the assistance of a professional coach. While online videos can demonstrate a thorough, step-by-step guide for prenatal workouts, it is best to be guided by a professional coach to monitor your progress, energy levels, and posture throughout the workout. If you decide to workout without a professional assistance, make sure not to perform any exercise that can overstretch your joints, place excessive emphasis on the abs (like crunches), or do head stands and similar movements that can reduce blood supply to the heart. You are your own monitor. Whenever you feel discomfort, tiredness, or dizziness, stop the exercise immediately. Stay hydrated all day long and try to workout in appropriate weather conditions. Last but not least, maintain a correct posture throughout all workouts. You do not need to deal with an injury or a harsher back pain. Be wise and seek perfection. 38 | SEPTEMBER 2020
