Top 10 Things I learned About the Human Body From My Pre and Post Natal Experience

1. It’s impossible to have good posture without core strength.
2. The “core” is not just abs – it’s also the glutes, lower back, obliques, upper back and lats…it’s the whole torso actually.
3. Exercising on little sleep is a recipe for disaster! 
4. If you are too tired to officially workout, just sit on the floor and do some simple stretches…maybe a gentle spine twist or hang out in child’s pose for a few minutes. 
5. I didn’t feel as though being fit helped me with labor, BUT being fit helped me “bounce back from baby” more easily. The labor part…whoa (!)…I think women are born with a deep strength, mental and physical, that gets unearthed during labor and delivery. It really can’t be “trained” for. (Oh, I know I’m going to hear about this one)
6. We put too much emphasis on dropping pregnancy pounds and not enough emphasis on restoring energy. I believe if you restore energy, you will drop the lbs without struggle. Many women are not given the chance to restore their energy because they have to return to a career too soon or don’t have enough child care support. 
7. Are you tired all the time? Cold when your have 8 layers of clothing on?Out of breath more than you should be? You may be iron deficient. Anemia is rampant in American women and it need not be. Get more iron (spinach!) and watch yourself be so much stronger.
8. Carrying excess weight – even if it’s temporary – is extremely demanding on one’s knees, ankles and feet. If someone is 10lbs or more beyond their ideal weight, hi-impact activities (like running) should be avoided because it’s likely to damage those areas, immediately or over time. Try low-impact activities like yoga, walking, spinning and swimming instead. 
9.  I believe in chiropractors now. If you feel like your alignment is “off,” get an adjustment. (Some “naturopathic” doctors do alignment work too.)
10. Women are undoubtedly the stronger sex. 

    I’m back teaching classes again and I feel very “mortal” as I am very achy the next day! But, on the flip side, I am learning so much by experiencing this process and my compassion for my fellow females has increased. Do you have anything to add to this list?  

This is what I do on Friday nights

Click on the photo below for a 30second glimpse into my new life as mom. (Things sure have changed!)

Calling All Aussie Buff Girls

THE STUDIO by Ellen Barrett DVD series is going to be available in Australia in May! Details coming soon. This is super exciting – no more “technical difficulties” – you see, in North America the DVDs are formatted for a different zone and tend to be incompatible for DVD players in other regions of the world. Now, that won’t be an issue for Aussies, Kiwis and Brits. yippee

Michelle Obama’s Arms are Too Awesome For DC

She’s not wearing anything that Jackie O didn’t wear. The only difference is that Michelle Obama’s arms are buff and Jackie’s were “delicate”. 

(Just my opinion) I say that the ado surrounding Michelle’s arms is because they convey  strength and lots of people are intimidated, either consciously or unconsciously. In fact, it’s not just her arms – Michelle O’s whole aura conveys strength, mental and physical. Maybe the “boy’s club” in Washington can’t deal with it, but that’s their problem….

The Folks at ACE Like Fat Burning Fusion

Who is that?

It’s me, with A LOT of help! This is a sneak peak at the March/April ‘09 issue of Pilates Style. Merci beaucoup to the makeup artist! (And just for the record, the photoshoot took place about a week before I was pregnant.) 

It’ll be on newsstands (and in “Whole Foods” stores) starting March 10th. There is an article inside the magazine about THE STUDIO DVDs.