Supporting Pregnancy with Pilates, Massage and a little bit of Magic.

Pregnancy is one of the most amazing, and hardest, things a body can go through. At Pila-Teas we support the whole arc of it, from trying to conceive through the fourth trimester. Over the years I've worked with women navigating fertility issues, abdominal surgeries, miscarriage, late-term loss, and surrogate pregnancies. My practice has grown into something close to a one-stop shop, from the very beginning all the way to baby massage. Yes, I do baby massage, and I'll teach you how to do it too.

What is Mayan womb massage, and who is it for?

Mayan womb massage supports women preparing to conceive, trying again after loss, or healing after a pregnancy loss. A lot of women go through this and need guidance for something so sensitive and private. This kind of healing touch can hold space for both mom and baby's spirit.

How does massage help during pregnancy?

Prenatal and postnatal massage (services) works out the aches that come with a changing body, opens the hips, helps fluid move safely, and connects mom and baby. When you're growing a whole human inside you, uncomfortable is putting it mildly, this kind of support can help you feel better even on the days you don't.

Is Pilates safe and helpful during pregnancy?

Yes, with the right guidance. Pilates builds core strength, and a strong core, back, and pelvic floor can mean a more comfortable pregnancy and fewer long-term complications from carrying a baby. It's also known for helping moms rebuild strength after birth, or babies, in my case.

Always check with your doctor or midwife before starting anything new if you're already pregnant. If you've never done Pilates before, find a prenatal class or an instructor who can give you real one-on-one attention, private sessions can be worth it here for your safety. It isn't a great idea to start Pilates on your own without the fundamentals down first. Keep an eye on your diet too, exercise burns more calories, and pregnancy already asks a lot of your body. When I was pregnant with twins, I could eat double the calories.

What changes in the body, and how do Pilates and massage help?

As your body changes and your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts. You may notice you need to move more carefully with things you used to do without thinking, getting up off the floor, getting in the car, rolling over in bed. Pilates and massage support all of that. Hormones make your muscles stretchier, which also makes soft tissue more vulnerable to strain, so this isn't the time to overstretch or push too hard. Working out is going to feel different at this stage, and that's normal. A smaller range of motion is often exactly right for toning the pelvic floor. As the baby grows, breathwork becomes even more useful, it re-oxygenates you and baby and strengthens the diaphragm.

Later in pregnancy, some women develop diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles. It's common with childbirth, and Pilates can help, before pregnancy, or after with a medical release.

What can we work through together?

• Fertility massage, or Mayan womb massage

• Prenatal massage

• Prenatal Pilates

• Postnatal Pilates, cleared around 6 weeks after birth

• Baby and mommy massage, bring your little one along and relax together

• Pilates for rebuilding strength after birth

• View all services and book now on pilateas.studio

Pregnancy is one of the more rewarding journeys your body will take you on. There are a lot of steps, a lot of choices, and no two pregnancies look or feel the same. By focusing on Pilates, massage, and good self-care alongside your medical team, my goal is to help you have the best pregnancy you can. So many women feel a little lost without the right guidance, especially with a second kid, when things get busy fast. Reach out if you have questions, or if you just want to talk through where you're at.