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Everything I’ve accomplished in my career began as a desire to address a personal problem I was experiencing and was often fueled by the fact that there was a giant gap or inadequacy that needed to be filled.

Let me back way on up.  I was in 5th grade, sitting in the library watching my sister’s 4th grade class performance.  It was a rendition of We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel, and I’m guessing the teacher had designed her own creative lyrics, but I wouldn’t know.  Because I couldn’t he...

The idea for my 6 week Prenatal Pilates program was a labor of love in itself. As a Women’s Health Physical Therapist, I spent over 10 years in a clinic setting working with the prenatal population, and I loved every minute of it. Well, almost every minute. I loved watching their baby bumps grow and hearing the trials and tribulations that only someone who has been pregnant herself could truly understand. Things like the stress of registering for the baby shower (how am I supposed to pick one br...

As a Women’s Health Physical Therapist and Movement Specialist, I have access to hundreds of exercise programs from Yoga to Cross Fit and Barre to Tabata.  When women ask me what the best form of exercise to participate in during pregnancy, my answer is the same every time. 

Prenatal Pilates, hands down. 

If you’re not already a believer, or if you’re not really sure what Pilates even is, or if you’ve stumbled upon this blog and are just looking for a good debate, strap in and allow me to co...

When most women find out they are pregnant, they think twice about what they feed their body and baby, striving for high nutritional value.  Sometimes they crave nutrient-dense food; other times it’s mashed potatoes and ice cream.  Like everything in life, there’s room for both, and finding a good balance is best.  The same is true for movement. 

What is your appetite for movement? 

If you crave intense, heart-pumping cardio, you may need to build in some thoughtful rest.  And if you crave r...

The second you get the positive results, whether it’s a missed period, peeing on a stick, a urine test from your doctor’s office, or bloodwork, or an ultrasound….you become acutely aware that the decisions you make affect more than just you.  From what you eat and drink (to what you can no longer eat and drink) to how much sleep you get or how much weight you lift, you don’t want to do anything to hurt the baby.  And if you’ve ever experienced a pregnancy loss, this last bit can have you more fe...

The benefits of exercising during pregnancy are indisputable.  Back pain reduction, easing constipation, decreasing your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and Cesarian delivery are only a few benefits.  But there’s also the promotion of healthy weight gain in pregnancy and help with losing the baby weight afterward. 

I always advise women to pick exercise programs that bring them happiness and joy instead of dreading the movement.  You have many choices when it comes to joyful moveme...

If you are pregnant, especially in this new landscape where staying healthy and safe is even more important, you need to start thinking about strengthening your body (and mind!) from home. 

If I were training an athlete for a triathlon, I would look at the demands of each of the three events and then work backward to design a training program to prepare my athlete for anything. 

Birth is no different. 

It’s one of the most demanding, humbling, and awe-inspiring events your body will ever p...

I’ve been working with pregnant women for over 10 years. 

In my Prenatal Pilates class, we start each class with a theme or educational topic. 

During our last class, once we’ve had a chance to get to know one another and let our guard down, the women take turns going around the room and sharing the fears they have approaching their delivery. 

I’ve heard literally hundreds of women bear their souls about what has them shaking in their maternity stockings.  Here are the most popular answers:

Fea...

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! NOW, WHAT?!

If you look online, you’ll be bombarded with well-meaning fitness advice from well-intentioned trainers. This is not the time to put your body in the hands of an amateur. If we were friends (and I hope someday we will be!), here’s what I’d tell you:

1. Immediately upon the egg implanting into your womb, your vessels experience dilation. But, you have the same amount of blood coursing through these now larger vessels which can lead to many of those p
...

I love the Pilates mermaid stretch!  It accomplishes so many things for my pregnant mamas, it feels so good, and it’s such a pretty move.  This is perfect for pregnant women who feel they are “running out of room” in their torso.  

It’s also a lovely exercise for pregnant women experiencing numbness and tingling in the upper extremities (once more serious nerve involvement has been ruled out).  While we most often think of these symptoms as relating to carpal tunnel, if we treat down at the wri...