Countless people enjoy doing Pilates as a form of low impact
exercise, but many women that become pregnant have to
immediately re- evaluate all of their physical activity on
account of their pregnancy. The big question is therefore
whether or not pilates is safe to continue during your
pregnancy.

1. What Joseph Pilates Says

The creator of Pilates says that his exercise methodology
focuses on the core of the body, what he calls the girdle of
strength. This area focuses on working the abdominal muscles
alongside those of the lower back and the pelvic floor. These
are also the three core areas of particular interest to
pregnancy women, so in theory Pilates pregnancy sounds as if it
would be perfect - but how does the reality match up?

2. During Trimester 1

In this trimester, most pilates exercises are safe to perform.
You will most definately want to talk with your doctor to
identify if there are any exercices that are not allowed. Then
the woman should discuss her Pilates program with a certified
member of staff at her gym - if possible. It is certainly
possible to even find a pilates instructor who is experienced
with pregnant women in particular. You will be able to carry
out exercises on your back if required.

3. Trimesters 2 and 3

You will need to be especially careful during these trimesters.
Seek advice from the qualified instructor as to how best to do
these exercises; it could be that a hip wedge is required.
During a Pilates pregnancy, any exercise that requires
equipment and balance should be avoided after trimester 1 also
in case the mother- to- be loses her balance and falls.
Schedule a meeting with a certified instructor as you begin
each trimester and so that the instructor can modify your
program to match with your advancing pregnancy. Pilates isn't
significantly different from yoga and both are safe to perform,
more or less, during your pregnancy. As with most forms of
exercise, pregnancy doesn't mean that you have to stop, it just
means you have to consider and perhaps modify set routines to
accommodate the inevitable bodily changes you will be
experiencing during your childbearing term.

About The Author: For more great pregnancy related articles and
resources check out http://pregnancy-direct.info