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Pre / Post-Natal Pilates & GYROTONIC®
prenatal Pilates Are you pregnant?

Congratulations!

Now more than ever is the time to stay strong, fit,
and relaxed for a healthy delivery and quick recovery.

Cathy Ferrara
specializes in pre-natal and post-natal fitness. She is certified in Julie Tupler's Maternal Fitness. She has trained in Pilates with Kelly Kane through Core Integration and Debra Goodman, MSPT in women’s health issues and Pilates Through Pregnancy as well as Pilates Post-Partum concerning C-section and Scar Management, Pelvic Floor, Episiotomy and Incontinence Rehabilitation. She is also a mother herself.
postnatal Pilates

Benefits for the Body

Pelvic floor-strengthening to support the growing fetus and prevent unnecessary episiotomies.

Relief of lower back pain by gently working the transversus abdominus, a muscle that gives extra support to the baby.

Knowledgeable hands-on-teaching that is customized for each client and the changing needs as the pregnancy progresses.

Reducing the chance of diastisis (where the lengthwise abdominals start to separate as the baby gets larger) by gentle strengthening.

Knowledgeable workout guidance through an ongoing dialogue between client and teacher.

Increased energy levels despite the extra weight of carrying the baby.


Consistently studying Pilates during your pregnancy will give you both physical and mental benefits.
post-natal Pilates pre-natal Pilates
prenatal Pilates

Cathy’s skill and intuitive understanding of body mechanics makes her an excellent teacher.  She helped me throughout my pregnancy especially during my third trimester with the more extreme postural changes and shifts in my center of gravity.  I have referred several of my patients to her who have all benefited from her expert instruction.
~ Dr. Shawn Tepper-Levine D.O.
Osteopathic Physician

Benefits for the Mind
Feeling empowered by listening and staying in touch with the body and the many changes pregnancy brings.

Feeling more relaxed and confident, guided in every possible way to stay strong and flexible for a healthy delivery.

Working with someone post-natal who is knowledgeable about the recovery process, when to be gentle and when it’s safe to be pushed.

Reducing the stress and anxiety that often accompanies new motherhood.

pre-natal workout
Come prepare both your body and mind so that the birth of your baby as well as your recovery is an empowering and positive experience.
prenatal training

My Own Personal Pre-Natal Pilates Testimonial

“Studying Pilates and Gyrotonic exercise methods during my pregnancy was so important for me in that it allowed me to not only stay centered during the crazy changes one’s body goes through with pregnancy, but also gave me the strength, endurance, and confidence for the marathon of the birth process and the whirlwind after.” – Cathy
“Belly Phenomenon” Cathy Ferrara is a foremost expert in pre-natal and post-natal exercise and conditioning. She conditioned herself for the physical demands of her own pregnancy and bounced back quickly enough to continue her other career as a professional bellydancer.
postnatal Gyrotonic
prenatal Gyrotonic

Each of these avenues of her life are
focused on  empowering women.

Cathy’s background in bellydance in which a woman’s body is her sacred instrument resonates in the same way as the spiraling Gyrotonic movements as well as with the Pilates methodical breathing and focusing on one’s own center of power, the belly.

prenatal trainingCathy feels strongly that helping empower women throughout their pregnancy avoids some of the common pitfalls such as diastises, episiotomies and C-sections.

Studying Pilates and Gyrotonic methodologies throughout one’s pregnancy prepares the pre-natal body for the birth process.

prenatal fitness studio
pregnancy workout

Focusing on pelvic-floor strength and flexibility as well as addressing postural changes in the body as the pregnancy progresses helps immensely.

Cathy also assists her clients with individual issues so that they have every opportunity to have the kind of birth experience they would like to have as well as a quick recovery.


postnatal fitness studio
Balancing your life once you’ve had your baby is the ultimate challenge.  Managing time and stress levels are strong concerns of every new Mom. Cathy’s post-natal workouts  not only de-stress the body but also the mind, facilitating a more organized thinking process needed to deal with the many roles a New York City Mom has to juggle.
postnatal training
 
prenatal trainingCathy also realizes that mental and emotional recovery are just as important as the physical aspects.  She teaches her new Moms that they can feel good about healing themselves, getting their bodies back and in shape, and most of all being proud of their accomplishments; that they have joined the ranks of being  “belly phenomenons” themselves.

Pre-Natal Wellness Related Links

Corinne Kohrherr L.Ac. is trained in the Chinese, Japanese and trigger point models of acupucture. She specializes in muscle injuries and pain conditions as well as infertility, pediatrics and the promotion of healthy pregnancies. Corinne is also a licensed doula. Her practice, Akoya Acupuncture provides a safe and positive environment to foster each person's innate healing process. It is located in close proximity to Backbone and Wingspan with office hours all day Sunday, Monday and Thursdays.

You can contact Corinne at www.akoya-acupuncture.com

Amy J. Burke, D.C. is trained in the leading edge of chiropractic practice and principles, and is on the teaching staff for Bio Geometric Integration. She is a member of both the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and the Holistic Pediatric Association. Amy's specialty and passion is working with women through their pregnancy, infants, children and family. She consistently works with NYC's most gifted doulas and midwives to provide clients with a supportive and loving environment during their pregnancy and post-partum experience. As a mother herself, Amy is particularly sensitive to the needs of new mothers and delights in providing the space for both mom's and their families to thrive through her care.

You can contact Amy Burke atamy@flourishnyc.com or www.flourishnyc.com.

GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS are registered trademarks of Gyrotonic Sales Corp. and are used with their permission.



Backbone and Wingspan Pilates Studio; Pilates Chelsea, Pilates Midtown Manhattan, New York
(212) 647-8878 • info@BackboneAndWingspan.com
Offering Pre and Post Natal Pilates, Gyrotonic, Feldenkrais Method and Physical Therapy
Copyright 2006-2009. Backbone and Wingspan. All rights reserved.
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