Pilates for Pregnancy is a straight talking, woman-to-woman exercise guide, focusing on pelvic floor and core strength, to improve your health, mood and energy during pregnancy. Clear, step-by-step Pilates exercises, tailored for the demands of each trimester, show you how to: - improve your posture as your bump grows - protect your back – especially when lifting older children - optimise the position of your baby for a better birth experience - help you release tension and create a positive mindset for birth - reconnect and restore your core postnatally, focusing on your pelvic floor muscles – including for Caesarean recovery. You'll find helpful advice and motivational tips from mums throughout, explaining how much Pilates improved their strength, birth experience and postnatal recovery, to help you prepare physically and mentally for your new arrival.

Pilates for Pregnancy offers over 60 gentle exercises divided into two main sections: Early Pregnancy (0 to 16 weeks) and Later Pregnancy (16 weeks to birth). In addition, Lynne offers exercises for pre- and post-pregnancy. The book covers all the current health guidelines: for instance, did you know that exercising supine during pregnancy increases your chances of developing supine hypotensive syndrome? The book is especially unique for its inclusion of a Q&A with a midwife on preparing for labour and the birth itself, a series of postnatal exercises that you can do with your baby, plus a groundbreaking new exercise programme for correcting diastasis recti (abdominal separation that occurs shortly after childbirth). With Pilates for Pregnancy you will be well on your way to attaining an enjoyable and enriching pregnancy.

A wonderful conditioning exercise for women of all shapes and sizes, Pilates is now recognized as one of the best overall exercises for the pregnant body as well. A low-impact and relaxing exercise regimen, Pilates doesn't divert blood flow from the growing fetus. As important, Pilates strengthens the abdominal muscles known as the "powerhouse," making it easier for new mothers to recover from childbirth and regain their pre-pregnancy waistline.Working with Dr. Uzzi Reiss, a prominent Los Angeles-based gynecologist and obstetrician, Mari Winsor has developed the first mat-based Pilates routine for pregnant women, bringing this time-efficient and highly effective means to get and stay in shape into the home. Illustrated with 100 black-and-white photographs, the exercises in The Pilates Pregnancy are gentle on the body and easy to do at any stage of pregnancy.

"Presents various benefits of exercising during all the stages of pregnancy, and gives exercise recommendations for pregnant women."--Résumé de l'éd.

Because of its emphasis on focused breathing, gentle stretching, and precise technique, Pilates is an ideal exercise program for expectant mothers. By following the clear explanations and photo sequences in this special lay-flat binding of Pilates Workbook for Pregnancy, readers will train and strengthen the body’s core muscles — without risking harm to mother or unborn child. Strengthening these muscle groups helps ease labor and aids in swift recovery after pregnancy. Pilates Workbook for Pregnancy uses original Pilates matwork techniques to create a program designed specifically for pregnant women. Appropriate for future mothers at all levels of proficiency, the book offers three versions of each Pilates movement: easy, for those with little exercise experience prior to pregnancy; moderate, for those who are fairly active; and challenging, for those who already practice Pilates.

This is a straight-talking, woman-to-woman postnatal recovery guide with a difference. These tailored Pilates exercises are safe and effective to build strong foundations, whatever your exercise goals. Clear step-by-step exercises are suitable for the fourth trimester, caesarean recovery and year one and beyond. Take control of your postnatal recovery and feel empowered with this toolkit of resources: - Health, fitness and wellbeing advice will help replenish and renew your energy in mind, body and spirit. - Learn how to check for abdominal separation and recognise the signs of pelvic floor weakness – what it means and what you can do about it. - Posture tips, easily incorporated into your day-to-day life – while breastfeeding, pushing your buggy, at your desk, picking up your toddler. Routines are realistic and manageable as they are broken down into bite-sized 10/20/30-minute blocks.

This book provides exercises designed specially for women at this time of enormous physical change. With 80 black and white photos, the book also contains excellent lifestyle advice for every pregnant woman and new mother.