When you ’ re engaged in a Pilates class , you have no choice but to tune out the world . You have no choice but to think only of your own body , each movement it makes , each breath you inhale and then slowly exhale . You are finally putting yourself first , without feeling selfish about it . No checking your phone , no analyzing the perfect body on the reformer next to you . It ’ s all about you and you alone . It ’ s therapy . I promise .
The Stretch ! Carrying around baby , putting the stroller in the car and taking it out a few times a day , leaning over a changing table , a play mat , the bathtub and cradling baby while you feed all takes a MAJOR toll on your neck , back , and hips . For me , I was in such constant pain from all of the above activities that I was lying awake each night with neck pain . The way Pilates forces you to elongate your body , roll your spine softly and gently into the mat , and stretch mindfully and carefully ? THIS is therapy for your muscles .
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