Pilates Prenatal Services in Santa Cruz

Exercise is an important part of a comfortable and healthy pregnancy. Using safe and cautious pregnancy protocols, Pilates instructors at Agile Monkey work with expectant mothers through all phases of their pregnancy, helping them to stay fit, relaxed and physically prepared for the changes that they are going through.

Instructors can also design home programs for their clients to help them in the first few months after delivery so that they can keep their bodies healthy while caring for the needs of their newborn.

Lisa really prepared me for my pregnancy by teaching me a series of great exercises designed to strengthen the areas needed for holding up my increasingly big belly. She also taught me wonderful stretches and self-massage techniques to help me stay limber and comfortable. The work with Lisa was so effective that I was the only woman in my prenatal group that didn’t get back pain during pregnancy! I can’t thank Lisa enough for giving me the tools to enjoy growing my big baby without the pain that can come with a changing body.

Announcing our PreNatal Mat Class on Mondays at 6:30pm with Dixie Shulman - Open Level

Dixie is a Senior Certified Instructor with three children of her own as well as over 20 years of experience teaching Pilates. The class will challenge expectant mothers with exercises (and modifications) appropriate to their skill level and phase of pregnancy. Many of these exercises can be done at home before and after delivery. You'll stay healthy and comfortable while your posture shifts and your belly grows, and learn ways to keep your body healthy while caring for the needs of their newborn. Props may include rollers, gertie balls, therabands, ultra fit circles, Pilates Arcs, large physio-balls and more.

A little bit about our resident Pre/Post-Natal Specialist: Ky Carnell Russell

Instructor Ky Carnell Russell is a certified pre/post-natal Pilates Specialist and faculty trainer for the Center for Women’s Fitness (CWF).  Focused on empowering women throughout pregnancy and birth, she prepares expectant mothers for the demands of pregnancy and birth, while providing for optimal postpartum recovery to help establish with life-long fitness. Private and Group instruction are available to create the most nurturing and effective workout for any expectant mother.

Ky also teaches annual Pre/Post-Natal Specialist trainings at Agile Monkey for current Pilates instructors (see course listing below).  Ky blends her extensive background as a faculty member for Balanced Body’s Instructor Training Program and “Anatomy in 3 Dimensions™” with her work in Pilates based rehabilitation at St. Francis Memorial Hospital to create a unique and accessible course based on the CWF's protocols.