Pilates & Points for Pregnancy
Pilates, enhanced with acupuncture and acupressure, for all stages of fertility and pregnancy. Brought to you by myself & Shane Rutkowski of Slainte Acupuncture. $40.
Shane will educate us on how acupuncture & acupressure can support all stages of fertility and pregnancy. He will discuss the crossover between the eastern classical meridian system and the western view of biomechanics. During the class, Shane will use small but effective 0.5 mm acupuncture stick-on needles that are safe to use with movement, as well as acupressure and amma massage. This will all enhance the experience as Annie guides you through a gentle & full body Pilates flow, incorporating breath work & pelvic floor support through every exercise. Learn more about Shane here and see FAQs below.
Pilates is safe for all stages of fertility & pregnancy. Research tells us how important exercise & breath is for all stages of pregnancy (pre & post, too!), and specifically The Pilates Method has been found to provide more benefits than other forms of exercise for pregnant bodies. Some benefits Pilates includes: postural strength & pain reduction, pelvic floor strength & endurance, pelvic floor therapy & relaxation, safe mobility for your newly flexible body, breathing skills to prepare you for labor & connect you to your deep core, and confidence & trust in your body. Please consult with your doctor or midwife before attending class. Learn more about Annie here.
We will learn
-how to both contract & relax our transversus abdominis & pelvic floor, and to not brace & build pressure
-how to access our deep core through simple breathing
-how to adjust your pelvis & spine to relieve pain & tension. as your baby grows, your pelvis tilts forward & compresses your lumbar.
-the importance of strengthening the mid-back for future nursing & feeding
-the importance of movement during pregnancy to keep your chi, blood, & breath flowing
-how to stabilize your joints as they get more mobile because your body is producing relaxin
-various arm and booty exercises that you can do laying down & on your side!
FAQs
Q: Exercising with needles? Is that safe? Do the needles hurt?
A: We will be using individual Pyonex Press Needles. Which are (teeny tiny ) 0.5 mm highest quality seirin patch style needles on surgical grade latex free adhesive, that can be maintained safely on the body and allow for painless and safe movement. See photos below.
Q: Why acupuncture for pregnancy or fertility?
A: Acupuncture is proven to be a safe, non-pharmacological intervention for pain and stress. Acupuncture, acupressure and amma massage tap into the nervous system to allow for the conditions by which a person can feel calm and safe in their own body, facilitating the body's natural processes.
Shane will be using small stick on needles and individual acupressure massages on the wrists and ankles, while Annie guides everyone through the Pilates principles & flow - a guided moving meditation, including breath techniques, postural alignment and gentle movements (arm circle, leg circles, leg lifts, yin postures). Each person will get a 5 min lower leg massage throughout the class, too.
Q: Go on.
A: A pregnant body undergoes a lot of structural changes relatively quickly. Understanding how to strengthen and support the body through pilates is a wonderful complementary modality to acupuncture which can safely help relieve tight muscles that are under strain. In the class, we will be focusing on the yin channels of the lower legs, and supporting the calf muscles (gastroc and soleus) as well as the feet for both pain relief as well as nourishing and supporting the emotional and energetic side or pre-natal care.
