Safe Core Exercise in Pregnancy

This can be so confusing!  Sit-ups?  Crunches?  Leg-lifts? Planks?  If you are pregnant, hopefully you are no longer performing traditional abdominal exercises such as crunches or sit-ups.  If you have been, that’s okay…but this might be a great time to transition to more beneficial, safer core exercises.  I will explain more about why and how to do so safely in …

Safely Strengthen the Core and the Mind Simultaneously: Active Diaphragmatic Breathing

labor prep seattle

Strengthen the Core and the Mind Simultaneously?  Seems to good to be true, doesn’t it?!  However, I’ve got just the way to strengthen both at the very same time and it all comes back to your breath! Diaphragmatic breathing helps to keep you calm in mind, helps to reduce that “fight or flight” response that happens when you have feelings of …

Diaphragmatic Breathing in Pregnancy & Postpartum

“Damn it!  What?!” I exclaimed, exasperated as my little one called for me for what felt like the 80th time in five minutes.  I again went to his side imploring, “I am right here, Honey, I’m just trying to cook dinner and I need to write a blog post about deep breathing tonight!” I immediately started laughing at the irony …

How do I lose my Mummy Tummy?

 PART I How are you feeling about your postpartum belly? Personally, I’ve always been conflicted. Physically, mine felt like a pillow for quite some time and I even remember resting my arm on it while I nursed my newborn son!  What an odd feeling that was!  A belly that had been full and taught for so many months was now …

Breastfeeding and Exercise Tips

Breastfeeding and Exercise Tips This topic has been on my mind as we are two weeks in to the May Mom & Baby Series. While instructing Mom & Baby, I always keep breastfeeding in mind—allowing fifteen minutes at the start of each class for preemptive nursing and of course, time throughout and following class as needed. As the mama of …

Diastasis Recti–An Overview

Diastasis Recti: Defined What is this big, scary sounding term and how does it or could it effect you, your pregnancy and ability to recover postpartum?  Diastasis Recti is a term for the weakening and subsequent separation of the connective tissue at the midline of the abdomen secondary to increased intra-abdominal pressure.  In simple terms, it’s the separation of the …