On a Wednesday morning at The Square Community Centre in Murray Bridge, mothers and their young children are practising their Pilates skills and chatting away.
Our baby-friendly mat-based classes focus on basic core and pelvic floor strengthening, progressing to more challenging exercises over time.
Amanda Bakker, the person behind Mums and Babs Pilates, encouraged mums in the first 12 months to get involved and give it a try.
It’s been a slow return to exercise, with a lot of learning about what to do at home as well as in the classroom, she said.
“Once[mothers]reach that next stage, they also get this next bit of knowledge that the baby is getting bigger, the hormones are changing and things are moving in the opposite direction,” she said.
Participant Sarina Veliz had been attending Pilates regularly before giving birth, and found the class to be a great way to get back into exercise without feeling any pressure.
“You can meet all of your baby’s needs while also doing something for yourself,” she said.
“After giving birth, you can feel quite anxious at times, but it’s a lovely, welcoming environment to start your fitness journey.”
Veliz encouraged others to join in and give it a try, not just for post-natal fitness but for the social connection.
Before giving birth, Bakker worked as a personal trainer for almost 10 years.
She soon realised there was very little in the Murray to support women who wanted to understand their bodies and how they were changing.
“The truth is, I was really disappointed,” she said.
“Very little research has been done on safely resuming exercise for postpartum women, regardless of whether they have issues at that stage.”
She is now on a mission to do more preventative work in community programs.
“There are so many different components to the gaps I’m trying to fill in terms of recovery, movement and exercise, and it’s very difficult,” she said.
Trying new things, finding out what you love, asking questions and seeking support are the first steps to starting your post-pregnancy fitness journey, she said.
‘Mum and Baby Pilates’ takes place every Wednesday at 11am at the Square Community Centre, Murray Bridge.
The first class is free, but there is a fee after that.
Bakker will also be hosting a free online webinar on pelvic floor and core strength on June 5th.
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