Bea Alexander Pilates
Pilates is an ideal form of exercise during pregnancy as it stabilises core muscles gently, works the pelvic floor, and moblilises and stretches the body. We use all the studio Pilates equipment during the class and exercises are done in time with the breath, developing your breath-control. We do fifteen minutes of guided relaxation at the end of each lesson to help you practice for labour.
Post-natal classes are designed to help your regain your abdominal and pelvic floor muscle strength after giving birth, and realign your body. They are a fantastic way for new mothers to have some 'me time' and feel re-energised by thoughtful exercise.
The classes are for three women only, so we can provide safe, personal care and attention to you throughout the changes that occur to your mind and body during pregnancy and after birth. We create a friendly, supportive environment, with many people continuing to be friends long after the classes are over and their babies are born. Many women come back to class when they are pregnant with their second or third babies and do post-natal classes with us.
Location: Bea's Pilates Studio in Marchmont/The Grange. See venues for details.
Guidance for pregnant women: We recommend you begin Pilates for Pregnancy from your 16-20 week of pregnancy. You can of course begin after this too. (If you are attending 'normal' Pilates already up until week 16-20, you can carry on but be gentler to yourself.) We are recommended to tell you not to start a new form of exercise until week 16 of your pregnancy. You will fill in an enrolment form with health questions at the beginning of your block. Please keep me up-to-date with your health throughout your pregnancy, thank you.
Recommended for: Women from the six-week check after birth up to a year or more after birth, especially if you still have abdominal separation. If you recently gave birth, we recommend you do two blocks of the term before moving back into a normal Pilates class. To join a post-natal class, please attend your 6-week check first.
Location: Bea's Pilates Studio in Marchmont/The Grange. See venues for details.
There's a article by Bea Alexander on Pregnancy and Post-Natal Pilates: The benefits of Pilates to the pregnant and post-pregnant body explained.
These classes are designed to be a safe and cost-effective way for pregnant women and new mothers to attend Studio Pilates. If these classes are unavailable or inconvenient, feel free to attend an individual studio session instead.
Priority booking is given to women who are currently attending the classes. Places are confirmed as soon as payment has been received. Classes are allocated on a first paid, first booked-in basis. Unpaid for places cannot be held. If your due date falls in the middle of the block, apologies, but we do not take half-block bookings. In this case, you can either pay for the whole block or to do some individual work for the few weeks before the birth of your baby. Please email or ring first to discuss your needs.
Classes will only run if three women have booked for the class. Once you have booked a place, classes are non-refundable in all circumstances. Unfortunately, we cannot give you a refund if you miss a class, but if someone else in one of the other classes is going to be away, there is a possibility of making up the class, but this cannot be guaranteed.
You can pay online, by cheque or cash. To book, please see the bookings/contact page.