Embrace Functional Movement: Strengthening for Everyday Mom Tasks
Being a mom is a full-time job that requires strength, stamina, and resilience. From carrying a baby to lifting car seats and picking up toys, the physical demands are constant. That's why incorporating functional movement into your routine is essential. It is crucial to have a movement practice for your health and nervous system, especially one that's centered around Pilates.
The Power of Functional Movement
Functional movement exercises mimic everyday activities, helping you build the strength needed for real-life tasks. This approach not only makes daily activities easier but also helps prevent injuries. Here’s why functional fitness is a game-changer:
Strengthens Key Muscle Groups: By targeting the muscles you use most frequently, functional movement prepares your body for the physical demands of motherhood. Think about those moments when you're carrying your little one or lifting that bulky car seat. Stronger muscles mean less strain and better endurance.
Improves Coordination and Balance: Functional exercises often require multiple muscle groups to work together, enhancing your coordination and balance. This is crucial for moms who are constantly on the move, multitasking, and managing little ones.
Reduces Injury Risk: Proper functional movement techniques can help you avoid common mistakes that lead to injuries. Learning how to lift, carry, and move safely protects your back and joints, ensuring you stay healthy and pain-free.
Centering Your Practice with Pilates
Pilates is a fantastic way to incorporate functional movement into your routine. It emphasizes core strength, flexibility, and controlled breathing, all of which contribute to overall well-being. Here’s how Pilates benefits your health and nervous system:
Supports Postpartum Recovery: Pilates exercises are gentle yet effective for healing diastasis recti and strengthening your core postpartum. This is vital for new moms looking to regain their strength and stability.
Enhances Mind-Body Connection: The controlled movements and focus on breathwork in Pilates help center your mind and body. This mindfulness aspect is incredibly soothing for the nervous system, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
Boosts Nervous System Health: Engaging in parasympathetic nervous system activities, like Pilates, helps your body shift from a state of stress to one of rest and digest. This balance is crucial for overall health, especially for busy moms juggling multiple responsibilities.
Check out the video below where I demo practical ways to incorporate functional movement PLUS a 20 minute series to reset all our imbalance.
Tips for Busy Moms
It's important to remember that you won't always move in perfect alignment, and that's okay. Life with little ones is unpredictable and often chaotic. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Give Yourself Grace: Don't strive for perfection. Focus on doing your best and being kind to yourself.
Practice Reset Movements: Incorporate short, functional exercises throughout your day to reset your body and maintain alignment. Like the video above.
Stay Consistent: Even if you only have a few minutes, consistency is key. Regular movement, no matter how brief, adds up and makes a significant difference.
Join Our Postnatal Series
Want to do more, but don’t have enough to do it much less figure out what to do? I made a postnatal series of 3 targeted videos, each under 10-minute, perfect for fitting exercise into your day, no matter how hectic it gets. These routines are designed to fit into your busy schedule, helping you build strength and confidence.
By integrating functional movement and centering practices like Pilates into your routine, you'll not only improve your physical health but also nurture your nervous system. Remember, it’s all about finding balance and doing what you can, when you can.
Take care and until next time, keep moving!
xo
Nicole