By : Shelley Green
Are you thinking about using Pilates videos for pregnancy? Taking a class or would like to find out a little more information? Well I have written this article with you in mind. I hope that you find it useful.
Looking for an exercise program while you're pregnant can be somewhat like choosing chocolates in a candy store. You don't know if you're going to like it once you buy it or if it's going to satisfy your very individual needs and tastes. Pregnant women who are addicted to their weekly Pilates workouts don't need to give them up, they just need to find a workout that takes their new status as a pregnant woman into consideration.
For the sake of convenience, many pregnant women choose to do their workouts at home with one of the many videos or books available on the subject. The question is which one? It's important to choose a workout that will keep you in shape and yet not compromise the pregnancy when choosing Pilates videos for pregnancy. Remember to get a go ahead from your health care provider before beginning any workout program, even if you are used to physical exercise.
Pilates has become really very popular over the last 10 years and due to the fact that certain techniques are safe during pregnancy it is not surprising that many people are looking for the perfect Pilates videos for pregnancy to enable them to use this wonderful form of exercise in their own homes.
Pilates is often seen as a one size fits all program. Pilates takes the core strengthening, stomach flattening, muscle lengthening exercises that Joseph Pilates invented and group them together to target specific needs or are modified so that people who previously thought they couldn't do Pilates can benefit from Joseph Pilates brilliant method.
Many women find Pilates to be one of best exercises to do, both during and after their pregancy. One the top reasons Pilates and pregnancy go together so well is that Pilates is great at building core strength. If your abdominals, back, and pelvic floor/Kegel muscles are toned, they will support a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery. Pilates is also famous for helping new moms get their figures back after baby is born!
When buying Pilates videos for pregnancy, first make sure that the instructor on the tape is an expert in the field. Also look for a section or introduction that addresses safety and posture. Posture is a constant challenge throughout pregnancy. Good posture and alignment can help pregnant women avoid the usual aches and pains. And, like any exercise program, enjoyment is a large part of wanting to work out regularly.
Lindsey Jackson's Video 'PILATES IN PREGNANCY'
This video claims that by doing these exercises women will gain more balance, control of their bodies, energy, self awareness, better posture, strength and flexibility and be able to relax. To a large extent this is true, if done regularly (2-3 times a week) and the workout would take about 30 minutes.
What Others Have to Say
The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health said "This video is endorsed by, and was produced in consultation with the Association . . . we were impressed at how thorough Lindsey was in making adaptations, based on the advice given by women's health physiotherapists . . ."
"The video has helped me with a number of things. It has helped my back, which was a problem and has also helped me avoid the slight inconstancy I suffered following the birth of my first baby. I also regained the shape of my stomach far quicker following the birth of this child, than following the birth of my first child when I was not practicing Pilates" Susan Kinderlane
"seeing the effect I could have on my tummy muscles whilst pregnant was incredibly empowering." Kirsty Maddocks
"Clear and correct instructions . . . appropriate modifications .. well selected exercises . . . well produced and well instructed" Lisa Westlake Australian Physio Association
"I would highly recommend this video to all pregnant/post-partum clients, especially those who are experiencing pelvic ring dysfunction. The instructor is knowledgeable, and the quality of the exercise routine is among the best I have seen for this patient population" Lauren Potach, PT Women's Health Coordinator Rehab Partners- Methodist Hospital, Nebraska
About The Author-- Shelley Green is the owner of http://www.pilatesvideosforpregnancy.com, a site that specializes in Pilates Videos for Pregnancy including Pilates and Pregnancy information and also other recommended sites.
Choosing Pilates Videos for Pregnancy
Clever Yoga Tips for Busy People
By : Anmol Mehta
Most of us live very busy and hectic lives. If you are married, have children, have a job, you are going to be busy and even if you don't have all these commitments, you are probably busy nonetheless. Throw in other activities you may be participating in, such as higher education, a fitness routine, other hobbies & interests, sports, blogging etc., and 24 hours starts to seem like awfully little time per day. Unfortunately, what seems to often get sacrificed in keeping up with the rat race is the one thing that should not, your daily spiritual practice. So in this article I will give some handy tips on how you can get more Yoga and Meditation practice into your busy lives by doing some clever multitasking.
Of the many yoga pranayama breathing exercises there are, I think the following 2 stand apart: Breath of Fire Yoga Pranayama & Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama. These 2 pranayamas have an encyclopedic list of benefits and what's best about them is that they are both simple to do and easy to incorporate into your daily life, specially when you are driving!
Yes that's right, driving. Obviously DO NOT do these breathing exercises if it at all affects your driving, but, generally speaking since driving is mostly automatic for most of us, it provides the perfect opportunity for getting in some additional spiritual work.
A car really is pretty conducive for such pranayama practice. You are already sitting up, so just straighten your spine (use a lumbar cushion if you need to), you have music available so put on some inspirational tunes, you have a clock to time yourself and you even have a fan to stay cool. What more can you ask for?
If you have family in the car with you, great, you can all practice together, why not :-). Both Breath of Fire pranayama and Kapalbhati pranayama are breathing exercises that activate energy pathways within you and increase your energy, so there is no risk of them making you sleepy or drowsy. Really, no significant modification is needed to practice either pranayama while driving so take advantage of this time and give it a try.
To practice Breath of Fire, begin to breathe rapidly through the nose putting equal emphasis on the inhalation and the exhalation. Allow the stomach and diaphragm to stay relaxed and simply pulse to the rhythm of the breath. It is important in breath of fire to not force the air in very deep, but instead keep it at the tip of nose and just breathe rapidly.
To practice Kapalbhati pranayama, again keep everything relaxed and simply expel the air forcefully through your nose, then allow the inhalation to take place as a simple passive recoil. As you exhale forcefully, pull your abdominal muscles in towards your spine, and as you inhale just allow them to re-expand naturally.
If there are other pranayama exercises you are doing, they too might be suitable to do while driving. So be creative and see if driving is conducive to incorporating them. So as you are getting to your physical destination continue to make progress towards your spiritual destination as well.
About The Author-- Anmol Mehta is a Yoga Teacher & Zen Expert. See Free Yoga Videos and explore Free Kundalini Yoga Poses & Exercises on his extensive Meditation and Yoga site, Kundalini Yoga.
