Focus on Movement

Posted December 29, 2018 by Guest Poster - 2 comments

This guest post was written by Sharon Chapman a Pilates Instructor and Movement Specialist that specializes in Pre/Postnatal and Everyday Movement. 

In my moms era, Medicine was the research topic.

My era covered Prevention and Vaccines.

Today’s focus is Fitness and Health.

This covers every element of life from conception to your last breath and everything in between, including…

Pregnancy.

During my birthing years, the only source of pregnancy knowledge came from a mother, a mover, a political activist and Hollywood celebrity named Jane Fonda.   

I was first exposed to Jane Fonda at the movie theater as I watched the movie Barbellla when I was a budding young girl. It was the first bare “butt” I had seen on the movie screen, and I remember being horrified!

She wrote a book entitled, Jane Fonda’s Workout Book For Pregnancy.  The book inspired movement, fitness and health.  At that time, this was NOT a subject women spoke about, and the book was extremely controversial.

Fortunately, I was able to get past the controversy surrounding Jane Fonda, and within her book I found words of substance. 

Words that made a big impression on me, and thousands of other women. Fonda spoke of health and how important movement during Pregnancy was for women. She provided guidelines, exercises and methods for better health before, during and after pregnancy.

All throughout the book was a focus on movement.

Not a big topic in the day, and an opinion that resulted in criticism and speculation. 

I remember my mom telling me that she was told women were never to strain, and should limit walking or exercise during their pregnancies.

In 2016, recommendations from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) stated that physical activity in all phases of life including before and during pregnancy, promotes healthy benefits. 

Jane Fonda’s book was definitely before it’s time…about 50 years ahead of its time.

Thankfully, I chose to ignore my mother, followed Janes guidelines, and moved as often as possible during my pregnancies. 

When I underwent my first c-section my OBGYN told me that I’d never feel below the evasive line he was creating. That it was the price to pay for having babies.

As I lay there and said to myself, “We shall see!”

Following my pregnancy, I did safe and gentle movement, gave myself “time” to heal from the inside-out and progressively moved. This led to me eventually reestablishing my Core and Pelvic Floor, Spine Alignment and correct Everyday Movement. 

The method I teach today via Pilates. 

Women have been moving since the beginning of time. 

To me, it seems that concepts of what a woman should or can do, has been dictated by what culture views as “correct” not what is truly best for the body.

The benefits of movement during pregnancy are numerous for mom and baby.  It provides women with an ongoing education and awareness platform as well.  An education for future health and fitness. 

Benefits of movement

• Provides better circulation/digestion/regulation (mom can poop!)

• Protection against gestational diabetes

•  Preeclampsia reduces significantly

• Better weight control

• Promotes blood flow to the fetus

• Improves mood and sleep and reduces stress

• Prevention of Diastasis Recti

• Increases cardiovascular and muscular fitness and strength

• Prevents urinary incontinence

• Provides the perfect conditioning for Labor and Birth

• Labor duration is shorter

• Less likely to experience postpartum Depression

• Can lead to quicker healing for new moms

Wow! 

The irony is, that we have recently become a culture of non-movers. 

We have gone from a moving culture, to a sedentary lifestyle culture. Social media, computers and iPhones have made us creatures that happily sit for hours. 

The American Medical Association has declared that “Sitting” is a health risk

Not moving is creating havoc, causing us pain and damaging our bodies. The end result is an increase of health issues, and a shorter and more painful life. 

So, WHAT do we do? 

Research tells us we need to move more and move smarter AND a new concept of movement is on the horizon which I call

“Bursts of Movement” 

As a mom of 5, a Pilates Instructor and Movement Specialist that specializes in Pre/Postnatal and Everyday Movement, Burst of Movement is how I have lived my life over the last 40 years as I gave birth, raised my children…and like most moms became superhuman!

Bursts of Movement was the only way I could exercise and maintain my health. It is the primary reason I’m healthy AND fit today in my 60s! 

Bursts of Movement are shorter, more focused exercises based upon Everyday Movement. The way we naturally move in our daily activities. 

It is a series of quality routines that are as little as 10-30 minutes in length and focused on balance, core development and spine health. They are proven to be more beneficial to the body than a 2 to 3 hour per week visit to the gym! 

Daily Bursts of Movement will Help Prepare a pregnant women for the tasks of daily living once the baby is born. 

Movements like lifting (a baby, a car seat, and bags), bending, twisting, sitting, squatting, lunging, carrying, hauling, pushing, and walking. 

It will make for a healthy mom and baby and a healthier pregnancy, birth and recovery.   

Here are two Priceless and Powerful Movements for Pregnancy

1.  Hanging – Creates space for a growing fetus, lengthens fascial back lines, stretches the back core, alleviates tightness and discomfort in the upper back and decompressed the spine
2.  Squatting – Elongates the Pelvic Floor, strengthens the posterior chain, and strengthens the back core

Both of these movements can be done without any special equipment, and if you already have children, a trip to the park provides the perfect opportunity to practice these movements.

I have a passion for helping women form healthy habits.

Healthy habits now, create a healthier and fuller life in the future. 

Above all, a happy healthy mom equals a happy healthy home and family! 

Please feel free to contact me, Sharon Chapman, through my website YourPregnantCore.com with any questions!

Categories: Health and Wellness, This and That

Tags: , exercise, health, movement, pilates, pregnancy, sharon chapman, wellness