At Auckland Physiotherapy our focus is on supporting women all throughout their pregnancy and post-birth journey! Our collective of expert Women's Health Physiotherapists and pilates instructors are here to keep you healthy and active. Research has shown that regular exercise during pregnancy has many benefits and one of the best forms of exercise for pregnant women is Pilates. Our post-natal pilates programme is designed so new mum’s can return to regular exercise safely while targeting the muscles most affected by pregnancy and birth.
To best suit your skills, abilities and circumstances, we can offer options of group classes or 1-1 sessions with a physiotherapist or instructor. To begin specialised pilates at Auckland Physiotherapy you will first need to do an assessment with one of our Women's Health physiotherapists. We offer a 45 min Class Prep, or if you're experiencing pain or discomfort, or have not completed a full post-natal assessment we would prefer to see you for a fill 60 min appointment. Following this session your physiotherapist will discuss and recommend either continuing 1-1 sessions, or joining into one of the specialty classes or equiptment classes!
Pregnancy Pilates is an excellent way of ensuring optimal function of your pelvic floor, as well as targeting the muscles around your lower back and pelvis to help you carry the extra weight during pregnancy and ease back and pelvis pain. It is low impact exercise that is more comfortable on your joints, which can become more susceptible to injury during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Pilates Classes at Auckland Physiotherapy is supervised by our Physiotherapists trained in Women’s Health so you can be confident the exercise is safe, evidence-based and specific to your personal needs. Providing all is going well, you can do Pregnancy Pilates from day one right through till the big day with a programme that is modified as you progress. This regular exercise will enable you to control excess weight gain, feel more comfortable as your body changes and means a faster recovery following the birth of your child.
Pregnancy Pilates prepares your body for not only the big event of giving birth but the extremely physical job of having a newborn baby!
Ready to get moving again? The thought of getting back into exercise after having a new baby can be very daunting, at Auckland Physiotherapy we experienced so you can be confident your programme is specific to your needs whether you have had a vaginal birth or cesarean section and whether you are 6 weeks or 6 months in to motherhood!
The exercises you will do during pilates can be modified to any level of fitness and close supervision allows us to progress you at your own pace to make sure you get the most out of each session. You can start postnatal pilates any time after your 6 week post-natal check, but it is still beneficial to start 6-12 months or more after having children!
What will you get out of Post-natal Pilates?
Pelvic Floor Retraining: While you may not notice any problems initially pelvic floor problems are really common – 1 in 3 women will suffer some kind of incontinence after giving birth, so giving these muscles the appropriate attention early on is important for optimal recovery!
Core Muscle Strengthening: Including the deep abdominals and gluteal muscles, to help improve any back or pelvic pain as well as prepare your body for more vigorous exercise
Specific pilates-based exercises can help to reduce rectus diastasis (abdominal separation).
We know life with a new born can be difficult, especially finding time to focus on your own fitness so this class is specifically for you to enjoy with your baby in tow! As with all returning to exercise you can join this class after your 6 week post natal check and after being signed off by your physio.
This is a mat class and is great for targeting all the right muscles to help you recover following your pregnancy and birth, and to prepare your body for more vigorous exercise. Your bub is welcome to come along until the age of 7 months (or until they're crawling!), and you can be comforted knowing that everyone else in the class is also a fresh mum! Our team is also expert babysitters so your bub will be given VIP treatment!
