Pre/Post Natal Pilates

Testimonials…

“I first started working with Mary in January of this year just so I could get back into a fitness routine that I love in a more private environment,” said client Ellie Howard Fields. “I was immediately hooked. A few months into training with her, I found out I was pregnant! I let her know and she immediately switched things over to prenatal training for me without skipping a beat. I’ve experienced chronic back pain since I was 15 and this was a big concern for me with being pregnant. Fortunately, Mary has helped me keep this in check - always giving me exercises and stretches to help combat any pain I’ve felt while also focusing on exercises that make me stronger for labor. I now only have 10 weeks left until the baby arrives and I honestly think I would have an entirely different pregnancy experience  if it weren’t for Mary.”

“I have been going to Era for over two years now and did weekly duet sessions with my best friend for about a year before I got pregnant. Mary and Becca quickly shifted our sessions to prenatal sessions and helped me feel confident for my labor. My birth preferences for a natural labor did not go as planned, and I ended up having a lengthy, traumatic labor which culminated in an emergency c-section. However, due to all the prenatal work and strengthening, the c-section went smoothly and I recovered physically quickly. I went right into post-natal pilates once I was cleared by my doctor. Mary tailors individual sessions specifically to address my postnatal recovery and helps build my strength and confidence back up one session at a time. I was also able to get back to duets and Becca also always makes sure to modify exercises to be safe and beneficial for postnatal recovery. The benefits of Era Pilates are beyond just postpartum weight loss and “getting my body back”. Postnatal pilates helps me be strong, positive, and energized so I can care for my newborn daughter at home. The team at Era really cares, listens, is mindful, and personalizes each session for each stage of life I’ve been in. I feel so grateful for them!”

“I first started working with Mary virtually in April 2020, during the pandemic. I was in my second trimester and we focused on Pilates mat work. My providers were impressed with how my labor was progressing since it was my first child, and I truly think it was all due to Mary and her sessions! I kept up with postnatal sessions once I was cleared at six weeks, and now Mary and I do virtual reformer sessions! I don't reside in the Indy area, so I am beyond grateful for the flexible and virtual options Era Pilates offers. Balancing the roles of a SAHM and a military spouse (moving about every 2-3 years) AND whatever else comes my way, it's hard to keep to a routine and find moments for self-care. I am a huge advocate for finding movement for your body, and my weekly sessions are a way for me to prioritize, stay consistent, and make sure I make time for my physical/mental/emotional health! I can see and feel myself regaining confidence and strength after each session. Not only is Mary an amazing Pilates instructor- she has listened to every pre/post natal need along the way! She has been such an inspirational teacher, confidante, business owner, and friend. I can't recommend her enough!”

“I started working with Mary in September of 2019 when I was 6 months pregnant. I had to take a step back from some of my other exercise due to complications in my pregnancy and Pilates was a perfect fit. Although I later had to be on bed rest, I truly believe the prenatal and postnatal work with Mary enabled my body to recovery exponentially better than I would have otherwise. I have continued to practice with Mary as I’ve entered into my third pregnancy and second pregnancy with her support and expertise. I always feel better after leaving whether it’s a day where I simply feel relief from all the additional pressure or feel energized from breaking a sweat and pushing my body. Mary and Becca have been wonderful and it has been such a joy to watch Era Pilates grow over the past years. WhenI have had wrist injuries and needed physical therapy, it was great to continue with Pilates since Mary and Becca could make adjustments according to my physical therapist’s recommendations and simply how I may have been feeling. I truly appreciate the personalization, the friendliness, the professionalism and the joy they bring to everything I have experienced in the past two years with Era Pilates. I look forward to continuing my Pilates journey.”

“My name is Paige Bailey.  I have been going to Mary for reformer classes since she started Era Pilates from a small home studio several years ago.  It was a no-brainer that when I found out I was pregnant in the summer of 2019 that I would continue classes not just for the physical benefits but also for the mental.  I always knew I had scoliosis, but it became very apparent and painful when I entered into my second trimester.  Going to reformer with Mary was one of the only ways I got relief from the pain in my back and hips.  Mary was also very informative and made sure that all classes I did were appropriate for whatever stage of pregnancy I was in, while also making sure I still got a good workout in.  I was able to continue with classes throughout my pregnancy, and even completed a class two days before I began labor.  When it came time to push I was told it could take anywhere from 3 to 4 extra hours on top of the 10+ hours I had already been in labor for.  I let the nurse know that I had been doing pilates my entire pregnancy and I was convinced I would be pushing for half of that time.  A whole 45 minutes later I was holding my daughter in my arms.  Unfortunately, I did have some pelvic floor complications after and had to see a pelvic floor physical therapist.  The first thing she did was check me for diastis recti, and she found only mild separation that would heal naturally on its own.  When she asked if there was anything I did to help prevent more separation from occurring I let her know that I felt reformer with Mary was the number one reason I had such an easy labor and only small ab separation.  Going back to pilates with Mary post pregnancy was one of the highlights of 2020.  She was wonderful at starting me at a level that was geared towards building my abdominals and strength back up.  She was patient when I needed breaks and gave a lot of encouragement when I struggled with my post-partum body.  I can’t recommend Era Pilates and Mary specifically enough for any pre and/or post-natal mommas out there.  If you want not just a great workout, but also great information on the pregnant and post pregnant body this is the place to go!”