Prenatal Pilates
Welcome to Mama Pilates Hub and Congratulations on your Pregnancy!
At Mama Pilates Hub we provide quality and functional Pilates classes to mums to be, from 12 weeks of pregnancy. Our classes are unique, tailor made specifically to mums to be in their second and third trimester of pregnancy. Every single client is individual therefore every pregnancy is individual and we understand that at Mama Pilates Hub.
Our classes are designed to be as personal as possible to each of our clients, we understand as our bodies change through each stage of pregnancy, so should exercise. Our classes incorporate function safe movement, best practice of activating and strengthening deep abdominals and core muscles, and releasing tight joints and muscles to prevent pain and ensure ease of movement.
Pilates is a safe, no impact form of exercise that can be practiced by all, once they are cleared by a Health Professional to do so, making Pilates the safest option to practice all the way through pregnancy till full term.
These are some of the benefits of practicing Pilates during pregnancy:
- Helps maintain muscle tone, strength and endurance, strengthening glutes and legs muscles needed during labour and delivery
- Regain/Maintain abdominal & Pelvic Floor muscles safely
- Improves pregnancy postural issues
- Stabilises and strengthens the muscles around the pelvis
- Reduces lower back and pelvic girdle pain and assists in prevention of urinary incontinence
- Decreases risk of blood clots, varicose veins, leg cramping and swelling
- Helps regulate fatigue levels and may also help with more restful sleep
- Helps with muscle tightness and overall joint mobility
- Reduce risk of abdominal separation (Diastasis Recti)
- Faster Postnatal Recovery
- Meeting other mama’s too!
“I began Prenatal Pilates when I was 12 weeks pregnant, I found the classes challenging but achievable and was able to continue all the way to 40 weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes, it was a lovely way to meet other pregnant women, the classes are so tailor made for pregnancy that it was a great way to help with any pregnancy niggles and pains while also exercising. Melissa was always so friendly, encouraging and patient. I really can’t recommend the classes enough and look forward to starting the postnatal class soon.”
Mama Pilates Hub run 3 Prenatal classes per week. We recommended that clients practice Pilates twice a week and in later stages of pregnancy as other forms of exercise become more challenging, Pilates will continue to challenge the mama to be. As Pilates is adaptable to each trimester and stage of a womens pregnancy, you can continue your Pilates practice at your own pace.
PostNatal Pilates
Hi Mama! And Congratulations on welcoming your little bundle into the world!
We are delighted that you have chosen our Postnatal classes as you come back to exercise after you’ve had your baby. Post Natal Pilates classes at Mama Pilates Hub are for new mums from 6-8 weeks following a natural delivery or 10-12 weeks post caesarean section birth, and are cleared to return to exercise by their Health Professional. Classes are designed specifically for new mums, and all the challenges that brings. The classes will focus on understanding the changes your body goes through, the importance of posture and practicing safe and effective exercises in the postnatal period. Our classes focus on strengthening core muscles, correcting postural issues including back and pelvic pain.
Our Postnatal classes take you from the very early stages of Post Pregnancy and continue to support you whatever stage that may be in your postnatal journey. Our Postnatal classes are led by Melissa, a very experienced Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist.
Phase 1 Programme
Our Phase 1 Postnatal Programme takes the postnatal mum on a gentle easing back into exercise. Connecting the breath back with the body and to the deep core muscles and Pelvic Floor. Gentle functional exercises combine with exercises to start to strengthen and rebuild the body Postnatally and to deal any postural issues, possibly healing Diastis Recti (Abdominal Separation) and bringing the body back to optimal alignment post pregnancy. In this phase of the Postnatal journey, there is probably little or broken sleep patterns, mamas are feeding baby so this may lead to postural issues and just getting used to the all the challenges of a new born. Our classes give new mamas the confidence and body awareness to be able to assist them in their Post pregnancy journey.
Phase 2 Programme – Post Natal – Retrain, Restore and Challenge
On completion of Phase 1 of our Postnatal programme, clients will move onto this next phase. These classes will give an extra challenge and continuing to rebuild and restore the body Postnatally. Adding extra challenges, using Pilates props to give extra resistance and adding weights to exercises. This class will involve a lot of functional movement, working on upper body strength, lots of squats!, safe spinal movement, core strengthening, whilst in keeping with the fundamental Pilates principles to help support and create postural awareness to our busy mamas!
- Each class is preceded in assessing each new client for possible abdominal separation (Diastis Recti)
- Some of the amazing benefits of practising Postnatal Pilates
- Reduces pelvic and back pain
- Build a stronger Core
- Reducing the incidence of stress incontinence
- Improved posture
- Strengthening arms (very important for lifting and carrying baby!), toning legs and improving overall flexibility
- Body Awareness
Mum and Baby Pilates
This is a post natal Pilates class that allows you to get in shape while having fun with your baby, and no babysitter needed! Classes are designed specifically for new mums, and all the challenges that brings. The classes will focus on understanding the changes your body goes through, the importance of posture and practicing safe and effective exercises in the post natal period.
The classes focus on strengthening core muscles, correcting postural issues including back and pelvic pain.
During the class we may incorporate your baby into the class, or just let them stay beside you and sleep. You choose, this is very much a baby led class. Each class is preceded in assessing each new client for possible abdominal separation.
Baby Massage
Baby Massage has been practiced for centuries, it is an ancient art that has been passed down throughout generations. Touch is the first sense to develop in the womb and it is proven that babies respond and are receptive to positive touch.
Our Instructor Melissa is a fully Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and trained with Baby Massage Ireland which is part of International Infant Massage Association (IAIM).
During our Baby Massage classes you will learn to massage your baby, following a routine that is derived from Swedish and Indian Massage, Reflexology and Yoga.
Benefits of Baby Massage for Baby:
- Helps baby to feel securely attached
- Helps baby to feel more loved, respected and valued
- Increases levels of relaxation and promotes longer sleep
- Reduces crying and emotional distress
- Stimulates the systems of the body, immune, nervous, circulatory and digestive systems
- Normalises muscle tone
- Provides relief from gas or colic pain, constipation and eases teething discomfort
- Develops body awareness and coordination
- Developing language through rhymes and repetition
Benefits of Baby Massage for you:
- Feeling closer to your baby, further enhancing that special bond
- Provides an enjoyable opportunity for you to spend one-to-one time with your baby
- Gain a deeper understanding of your baby’s behaviour, crying and body language
- Feel the relaxing effects of giving your baby a massage
- Increases your confidence in your ability to care for and nurture your baby
- Reduces stress level for you and also baby, releasing the hormone oxytocin
- Decreases the incidence of post natal depression
- Learn a lifelong parenting skill
- Also meet other parents and compare your experiences over a cuppa!
Group Baby Massage Classes
Group Baby Massages classes are are run over 5 weeks, allowing time to learn the massage strokes and to become comfortable with the massage. Also incorporated are gentle exercises for baby, derived from yoga, which not only benefit babies with colic or digestive discomfort, but they are fun for baby too.
The courses are very much baby led so there’s no problem feeding and tending to baby as you would do in your own home. This is a fun and interactive class that benefits both parent and baby in many ways.
After the class there is time for discussion, and to share experiences with others from your community and enjoy cuppa and something sweet too! These classes are kept small and intimate with a maximum of 8 parent and babies in each course. At present our classes are live online via Zoom and from the comfort of your own home. Still the same but just a little different, but still the same benefits for you and baby!Private Baby Massage Classes
At The Pilates Hub we offer Private Baby Massage, either in our cosy Studio or in the comfort of your own home. On a one to one basis, or maybe get a few of your friends together. Maybe it is not so easy to get out of the house or you just want to be in the familiar surrounding for you and your baby, then we will come to you. These tend to be shorter courses, 3 to 4 sessions. House calls also available, for babies with colic or digestive issues, followed up by phone support. In Dublin Area.
