Prenatal Exercise Guidelines: My Top Three Tips!

safe exercise during pregnancy seattle

Exercise during pregnancy.  By now, most of us know that we should be doing it, but how?  What’s safe? What’s most beneficial and where can you go for reliable advice and instruction? If you know me, then you know that I am a firm believer in individualizing your exercise program during pregnancy and postpartum both.  In fact, I require a one-on-one with each and every client prior to booking into group training sessions for this very reason. You have a …

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 of the situation.  What I really needed was to take a time out for breathing myself! The laughter worked wonders …

Reasons Why You Can’t Lose Your Mummy Tummy–Part II

Ok, so this is part two of a three part series of articles concerning your “mummy tummy”. Recently, I discussed how new moms often feel a bulge or layer of fat around their mid-section, and no matter what they do, they can’t shift it! That’s the pillow-like feeling I referred to—and it can be a bit of a surprise postpartum. So, let’s talk about diet and it’s impact on recovery and the mummy tummy! Diet and nutrition work in tandem …

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 a boy who still nurses on demand at 18 months, I have had my share of breastfeeding and exercise related …

Diaphragmatic Breathing: “Ahhhh”

We know that life begins with the first breath and ends with the last.  But it is how we breathe in between the first and last that greatly impacts how well we live this life.     Nancy Zi, The Art of Breathing I am often asked, “What’s the best exercise I can do the prepare my body for childbirth?” You might be surprised to learn the answer…it’s not squats, yoga poses, or kegels. Although each exercise plays an important …