PART II of a 3 Part Blog Series on Pregnancy Modifications
This is the Second Part of a Three Part blog series;
Second Trimester
Again, congratulations!! and Again, let me preface I am not a doctor by any means, and each day and trimester feels different, so take it one day at a time; if a modification isn’t working for you, stop doing the exercise and flag an instructor down, and she will help you find something that works for you and baby.
Second trimester is where we begin showing. For all us, this comes at different times. When you begin showing, and by showing I mean visibly pregnant, not just looking bloated, you need to come to your knees for all planks and push-ups. This will help keep abdominals pulled in, and enable you to keep perfect form, thus working the abdominals the correct way. Some other modifications you may need to take depending on where you are at are using a ball behind you tail bone during high c-curve, and using a ball behind your shoulder blades during chest-lift. Again, this enables you to stay completely connected with your abdominals the entire session, and work in a safe position. If the modifications given below are feeling appropriate or if you are noticing peaking happening in other positions, then take them, this your body and your pregnancy.
Low C-curve/Chest lift: Use a ball behind your shoulder blades. Again, the focus is on pulling the navel down and exhaling. No forward curling. Oblique curling is completely ok. This position gets tough as pregnancy progresses. So, again listen to your body, if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it, just lay down on the floor and focus on drawing your navel down as you press you low back into the carpet, flow back and forth through neutral spine and all vertebrae pressing into the floor.
Flat Back: This position can be taken up against the wall under the barre. If this is a position you are interested in, please see an instructor they can help set you up. This is the position where most likely you will see peaking. So be very mindful here. A couple things can be done; you can do one leg at a time. So, one leg will be up, while the other foot is down. Or, if you are still seeing peaking happening, both feet stay on the floor, and you focus on exhaling pressing your low back, into the carpet and you draw the navel down towards the carpet.
A quick word about laying on your back. I know a lot of women feel very uncomfortable on their backs during pregnancy. I will tell you this. It is completely ok for the baby. The primary reason doctors tell you not to lay on your back is for your sake and comfort. I was completely comfortable laying on my back up till I had my son. It felt good to lay in that position. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, get up and tell your instructor, again, she can help you find a different way to target the same muscles.
To learn more, come take Emma’s Bring Your Belly to the Barre this Friday at 10:45. Learn the modifications. Ask questions. With Emma going through the same thing as you, you know you are not alone! Sing up online now! $20 for Bring Your Belly to the Barre Workshop.
I hope this helps you understand and continue growing these bellies and your practice at The Barre + Beyond.
Sharing Barre Love,
Rachel
