"The Labour of Love DVD kept me supple and fit throughout my pregnancy. It gave me great confidence and kept me calm at the onset of labour and right through until I gave birth."
Isobel Kennedy
Getting body back to shape
Here are a few ideas for "getting body back to shape"
1. Carrying your baby in your arms can gradually put more strain on your body than carrying it inside you! Try to switch sides regularly, and balance your body weight evenly through hips and pelvis.
After carrying your baby, take the arms behind your back interlace the fingers and stretch to straighten arms rolling the shoulders back. Hold for several breaths.
2. " Sit-downs”. To strengthen and regain a flatter tummy - sit on the floor with knees bent. Stretch the arms out straight over the knees, and with a straight spine ease backwards towards a lying down position , gradually increasing the degree with practice. This is a much safer wayto tone tummy muscles than "sit ups".
3. Enjoy time at yoga with your baby. Go onto an all fours position on the floor with baby under your arms. Put your favourite music on and move around creatively -rounding the back or circling and swing through the arms. This way you can increase the mobility of the spine while cooing and smiling at your baby!
4. All the Yoga for Pregnancy movements on the DVD "Labour of Love" are suitable for a safe routine and for getting you back in shape after the birth. Check the list of precautions and guidelines at the start of DVD before practice.
5. Finally, remember to continue to take care of the pelvic floor although these muscles do not directly affect body shape- they form the foundation for a healthy spine and create core stability for the whole body.
Sit on the floor with legs stretched straight out, now tighten legs together as you draw up the lower abdominal muscles and activate pelvic floor muscles by trying not to go to the loo. Lift the chest and lean back with an upright spine. Hold for several breaths and repeat regularly. These simple exercises in bodyand breath awareness will held you to recovernot just your shape but also the confidence and stamina required for motherhood.
