This course will take place October 6,8,13 and 15.

Course Description

This course will show you how to “Prepare the Body” and “Repair the Body” during pregnancy and the postnatal period. You will be introduced to a different way of looking at female anatomy and physiology and the changes that occur during pregnancy, birth and beyond. You will learn our “method” of program design for this population that will truly address their needs and requirements for safe, beneficial exercise.

Course objectives

To understand the anatomy of the female pelvis and pelvic floor and the role they play during pregnancy and the postnatal period
To understand the musculoskeletal system of the female body in general and pregnancy/postnatal in particular
To understand the changes in physiology of the female during pregnancy and postpartum
To understand the intimate relationship of the body to the breath and how to use the breath for birth, relaxation alignment and rehabilitation in the postnatal period
To understand the adaptations and alignment of posture in the pregnant and postnatal body
To understand the importance of storytelling in the healing of birth trauma
To understand the prevention and/or the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor, diastasis recti, C section and PSD
To understand how to use the platform of Pilates to design beneficial and safe exercises for this population

Course outline

Lecture
The philosophy of The Center’s program
The anatomy and physiology of the pregnant/postnatal client
The pelvis and pelvic floor during pregnancy/postnatal
Breathing and its effects on the abdominals and pelvic floor. Breathing for rehabilitation. Breathing for relaxation and alignment.
The postural changes of the pregnant/postnatal client
The postnatal period and appropriate exercise design
Program design for this population

Practical
Exercises for breathing and relaxation
Exercises for the pelvic floor
Learning specific exercise sequences for breathing and pelvic floor
Implementing breathing and pelvic floor exercises into your regular class design
Sample first trimester/Postnatal mat class
Sample second trimester/Postnatal mat class to include ball and therabands.
Sample third trimester mat class to include relaxation and visualization and partner stretching