The Benefits of Pre- and Postnatal Reformer Pilates at Feels Pilates Is Pilates Safe During Pregnancy?
One of the most common questions we hear is: “Is Pilates safe during pregnancy?” The answer is yes!
Pilates for pregnancy is an excellent way to stay active, improve strength, and keep your body in balance. Reformer Pilates provides a safe and effective workout for expectant mothers, with modifications and specialised props available for each stage of pregnancy to enhance your comfort and safety.
At Feels Pilates, we take great care to ensure that each exercise is adjusted to your unique needs, providing you with a personalised approach that promotes safety and comfort. Our experienced instructors are trained in prenatal Pilates and understand the specific changes that occur in your body during and after pregnancy.
Benefits of Prenatal Pilates
Prenatal Pilates offers many benefits to support a healthy and comfortable pregnancy:
- Improved Posture: As your body changes during pregnancy, it’s common to experience back pain, especially in the lower back. Pilates focuses on strengthening your core, which helps stabilize your spine and improves posture, reducing strain on your back.
- Enhanced Flexibility and Mobility: Pregnancy can cause your muscles and ligaments to loosen as your body prepares for birth. Reformer Pilates helps maintain strength, flexibility and mobility, reducing the risk of discomfort and improving circulation.
- Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles: Strengthening the pelvic floor (and learning to relax the pelvic floor) is crucial during pregnancy. Pilates for pregnancy helps engage and strengthen these muscles, supporting your body through the natural changes pre and postpartum.
- Breathing and Relaxation: Learning proper breathing techniques is a key component of prenatal Pilates. Deep breathing and mindful movement help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and aids in managing intra-abdominal pressure.
Postpartum Pilates: Recover and Rebuild
After giving birth, it’s equally important to focus on recovery and rebuilding strength, and postpartum Pilates can help. Reformer Pilates is an effective way to rebuild muscle tone, regain your core and pelvic floor strength after childbirth.
- Core Rehabilitation: After pregnancy, it’s common to experience weakened or stretched abdominal muscles or “abdominal separation” (diastasis recti). Postnatal Pilates helps you rebuild strength in your core and pelvic floor, supporting recovery and stability.
- Increased Energy: It’s easy to feel fatigued after childbirth, but postpartum Pilates can help boost your energy levels. The movements are designed to gently activate your muscles, improving circulation and reducing stress and fatigue.
- Improved Mental Health: Exercise is well-known for its positive effects on mental health. Postpartum Pilates can lower stress and boost endorphins, giving you a refreshed sense of well-being
- Gentle Progression: You can ease into your postnatal recovery at your own pace, with our experienced instructors who can provide personalised modifications to suit your individual needs.
- Customizable Resistance: With adjustable springs, the Reformer can provide just the right level of resistance to challenge your body at any stage.
Pregnant or postpartum clients are welcome to attend reformer pilates classes at Feels, with clearance from your doctor. If you are new to reformer, we recommend starting with a Beginner class.
At Feels Pilates, we’re here to guide you every step of the way with expert instructors and a supportive community. Pilates for pregnancy and postpartum recovery doesn’t have to be intimidating – it’s about feeling strong, capable, and supported.
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Hi, I’m Dominique McGuire – degree-qualified naturopath and founder of The Pillars Naturopathy, based in Manly Beach and also available Australia-wide via Telehealth. I work closely with women and families to support everything from digestive health and hormone balance to fatigue, skin issues, and mood.
As both a practitioner and a human, I know that true healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. I take a compassionate, evidence-based approach to naturopathy, blending functional testing with clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, and realistic lifestyle advice to help you feel like you again – not just as a mum, but as a whole person.
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Above all, this is a safe, non-judgemental space to be honest about how you’re feeling. Whether you’re an expecting mum, navigating early motherhood, or trying to get your health back after years of putting yourself last – you’re in the right place.
Let’s work together to help you feel energised, empowered, and supported again.
Sollus Wellbeing
Alex harnesses movement as medicine to promote female reproductive health, nervous system regulation, emotional and physical healing.
Creating a safe and nurturing space, she supports her clients through fertility, pregnancy and postpartum care, burnout, stress and anxiety management. Alex teaches yoga, breathwork, meditation and supportive tools for realistic, achievable and sustainable self care.
Having supported hundreds of women through the intimate journey of matrescence, Alex possesses a wealth of clinical experience, alongside a deep personal understanding of the physical and emotional challenges faced by women around antenatal care.
Her journey into somatic and holistic health was sparked by personal experiences of IVF, loss and fertility challenges. This background has equipped Alex with a unique approach, guiding mind-body and nervous system connection to complement medical approaches
Mikaela Duffy Naturopath & Bodyworker
Hi! I’m Mikaela, a degree trained naturopath & nutritionist, and bodyworker specialising in supporting women & families in key transitional life stages. My aim is to help create the village of care for your individual needs. I offer confinement techniques for a variety of home visit packages including those who have experienced pregnancy loss.
Perfect for –
* new mums who would benefit from visits that gently support the healing process post birth
* those wishing to receive traditional post partum treatments &/or massage
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* mums who are struggling emotionally or physically with their parenthood journey
* those who have birthed naturally or via C section (various tailored treatments available)
* women who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss
Using science & traditional wisdom combined, and over 17 years of clinical experience, I provide a gentle caring presence in your home, and can offer from a range of services –
* Naturopathy consult and advice for recovery, healing & lactation support
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* BodyTalk/Reiki treatment (helpful for new mum anxiety, settling & birth trauma release, pregnancy loss)
* Massage techniques for recovery & relaxation – including C section scar work
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