Dear Aliesa,

I am teaching a Pilates class and one of the participants has
told me that she is pregnant. She has been doing Pilates for
a while and is strong and knows her limits, but I am looking
for a resource where I can research the limitations and
contraindications for a pregnant participant.

Can you recommend some reading or a website I can rely on
to give me correct information? This is a mat class only.

Thanks very much for your help,

Darlene

Great Question Darlene!!!

You’ll find a few guidelines for Pilates & pregnancy in the PMA Pilates Certification Study Guide. If I remember correctly, Dawn-Marie Ikes did a session or two on this topic at the PMA conference in 2005 & 2006, it was great information. If you have access to a copy of the course outlines for either of those years, I think you’ll have the info you’re looking for. You might check on the PMA website for Dawn-Marie’s contact information www.PilatesMethodAlliance.org and request info directly from her.

The other thing I would recommend is checking with your OB/GYN for the official guidelines for exercise during pregnancy. I believe it’s the American College of OB/GYN’s that publish this info. (ACOG).

You should also be able to find some information through the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

If you haven’t had your participant give you a written release to continue participation during pregnancy, that is something you should request. I’ve had pre-natal participants participate almost full-term, and a few who because they were high risk, as soon as they got pregnant their physician advised NO Pilates. So please have her bring you a release ASAP!

Hope this info is helpful. Have a Great Day!

Peace & Blessings,
Aliesa George

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