Postnatal Program

Postnatal Program

There are a number of physical, mental and emotional challenges associated with recovering from childbirth, early motherhood and beyond. From diastasis recti, to tears, prolapses, incontinence, abdominal doming and weakness and many more, we are faced with a lot of changes to our body after giving birth. Of course, this is completely natural, but we don’t always take the care that is needed and treat giving birth as the trauma it really is to the body. During our postnatal stages, we should be surrounded by people that can support us and help us to restore our bodies.

Having suffered from severe postnatal complications, resulting in the need to have a hysterectomy, I endeavoured to study more about what I could and should have done post-birthing my two wonderful babies, to have prevented or better manage the problems I encountered. I want to help as many women as possible to manage or even avoid the difficulties that I faced, by providing knowledge and safe exercise programs to make you feel strong both mentally and physically.

Our postnatal journey has so many elements to it. In my Postnatal Program, I hope to cover lots of the areas that can help you to feel good. When you join this program you will receive:

• 22 postnatal workout videos, divided into 4 different levels to help you build up strength and fitness safely and progress when you are ready.
• 4 short videos explaining various Pilates movements and terms so that you can commence your program with knowledge and understanding.
• A meditation that you can do to reset your mind (perfect for when your baby falls asleep on you)!
• A nutrition guide, including 8 healthy and quick recipes you can make to aid your recovery and save you time.
• Information sheet and video on how to self-assess diastasis recti and what to be careful about when returning to exercise if it’s applicable to you.
• Information sheet on breathing, why it’s integral to recovery, as well as two videos on different ways to breathe, activate your TVA and pelvic floor.
• Information sheet on posture and alignment and why it is important for our recovery.
• Welcome letter detailing everything you need to know before you commence the Program including where to start!
• Free first month on my On Demand Pilates subscription membership when you’re ready to progress from the Postnatal Program.

This Postnatal Program is designed to strengthen, empower and restore you. Recovering from giving birth is not a short process and your body deserves to be treated with love and careful attention as we progress. I am passionate about helping you find the best you and I can’t wait to work with you.

Take care, Bec McLean

Postnatal Program
  • Postnatal Program - Breathing and TVA

    After reading the information handout on Breathing and the Transversus Abdominis (TVA), this video gives some exercises that you can do to work on your 3 Dimensional breath. It shows you different ways that you can focus your breath to optimise recovery. It also has an exercise for you to do, t...

  • Postnatal Program - Pelvic Floor Info

    This video is in addition to the information handout on the Pelvic Floor. After reading through the handout, you can join this video to complete an exercise to help activate and release your pelvic floor. When working with the pelvic floor, it is so important to draw awareness to all parts of t...

  • Postnatal Program - Diastasis Recti

    This video provides a self-assessment guide for Diastasis Recti. Where possible, it is advisable to have a healthcare professional assess your Diastasis Recti, but this is not always available to every individual. After reading the information handout on Diastasis Recti, you can watch this vide...

  • Guide - Pelvic Placement

    In this 4 minute video, I explain what the difference is between an imprinted and neutral pelvis and how to find these positions on your body and then when you should use one position over the other.

  • Guide - Head Placement

    In this 4 minute video I discuss where your head should sit so that you can draw your attention to your own head position, and see if you need to pad your head during your Pilates sessions, when lying down on the mat.

  • Guide - Scapula

    In this 5 minute video, I talk about your scapula and how it moves and how it should sit correctly on your back. I give you some ways to find a nice strong and neutral scapula position so that you can strengthen your scapula during the workouts and work without tension in your neck and shoulders.

  • Guide - Ribcage

    This 2 minute video talks about your ribcage and how it connects to your body, so you can draw your attention to your ribcage connection during your workouts.

  • Guide - Seated Position

    In this 2 minute video, I give you a guide on how to find a comfortable seated position when you're down on the mat. For many of us, sitting on the floor in a cross-legged position or with our legs straight out in front, may leave us slouching or feeling tension in our hips. This guide shows yo...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 1 #1

    This is a 20 minute Postnatal Pilates session focusing on moving the whole body. We will ease back into exercise with this class, in a slow and controlled manner. This session will be on the mat, so have a pillow or cushion ready to sit on if you like one to make you more comfortable.

  • Postnatal Program - Level 1 #2

    This is a 20 minute workout down on the mat. The session starts in a 4 point kneeling position and works on finding correct alignment and activating both the abdominals and glutes in a safe manner. No equipment is required.

  • Postnatal Program - Level 1 #3

    This is a 20 minute session that will work the whole body in a standing position, with emphasis on activating the glutes and working with correct alignment in a squat, hinge and standing position. If you'd like a little assistance with your balance, then have a wall or chair nearby. No equipmen...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 1 #4

    In this 20 minute session we will begin in standing to work on our alignment before rolling down on to the mat to activate our glutes. No equipment is necessary for this session.

  • Postnatal Program - Level 1 #5

    In this 23 minute session, we will be using a flex band to provide us with a little more resistance for our workout. This will help us to work a little bit harder and add a lot more options to our workout! If you don't have a flex band, then you could also use an old pair of stockings.

  • Postnatal Program - Level 1 #6

    This is a 20 minute session that will use the flex band. We will work up in a standing position and the band will provide us with some extra resistance for our arms and legs. If you don't have a flex band, then you could use an old pair of stockings instead.

  • Postnatal Program - Level 1 #7

    This is a 20 minute session using the flex band. We will work in a kneeling position and then in seated and focus on working the arms a little more with our added resistance. If you like to have a prop to sit on, then have something ready! If you don't have a flex band, then you could use an o...

  • Postnatal Program Level 2 #1

    This is a 20 minute session down on the mat, in both a seated and lying down position. We will use weights in this session to add more resistance for our arms. If you don't have any weights, then you could fill a couple of drink bottles or take a couple of cans of food from the cupboard and use...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 2 #2

    This is a 20 minute session that uses weights. We will be working up in a standing position and focus on correct alignment with our squats and hinges, as well as adding weight for our upper body. If you don't have any weights, then you could fill a couple of drink bottles or take a couple of ca...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 2 #3

    This 22 minute workout is up in a standing position. You don't need any equipment, just a little bit of space so we can work on mobilising the whole body, as well as strengthening our legs and upper body. This session will leave you feeling open and lengthened. It will be helpful to have a wal...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 2 #4

    This is a 20 minute session that uses the mini loop band. You could also tie a flex band or an old pair of stockings in a knot to get the same result. The mini loop band will help us to activate and work our glutes so much more!

  • Postnatal Program - Level 2 #5

    This is a 22 minute session that starts in 4 point kneeling and works on building strength through our scapula and back and engaging our abdominals effectively and safely. You don't need any equipment for this session.

  • Postnatal Program - Level 3 #1

    This is a 20 minute session in a standing position, with some exercises in a high kneeling position. In this level we have begun to introduce rotation and some more lateral flexion. If you still have a diastasis, then please refer back to my information handouts to ensure that you are ready for...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 3 #2

    This is a 25 minute session on the mat. It works on how to engage the abdominals safely and see if you're ready to continue to add more work for your abdominals. It also adds in rotation. If you still have a diastasis, then please refer back to my information guide to ensure that you are ready...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 3 #3

    This is a 24 minute session up in a standing position, using weights. We will add in some rotation in this session, so if you still have a diastasis, then please refer back to my information guide on diastasis to see if you're ready for this session. We will focus on adding weight to build stre...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 3 #4

    This is a 22 minute workout using weights. The session is on the mat and works in a four point kneeling position and a supine (lying down) position to build strength for the whole body. If you don't have any weights, then you could use two filled water bottles or a couple of cans of food from t...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 3 #5

    This 25 minute workout uses weights to add more challenge for the upper body. We also focus on mobilising through the whole body in this session and we will add on some rotation. If you still have a diastasis, then please refer to my handout on diastasis to see if you're ready for this session....

  • Postnatal Program - Level 4 #1

    In this 25 minute session no equipment is needed. We will work down on the mat to introduce a few new abdominal exercises and start to build more strength in lots of different positions. If you still have a diastasis then I don't recommend that you start this session yet (please refer back to m...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 4 #2

    In this 22 minute session, we will work down on the mat to activate our abdominal muscles and help to strengthen them in lots of different ways. We will also be adding in some strengthening work for our glutes. No equipment is required for this session. If you still have a diastasis, then I do ...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 4 #3

    In this 27 minute workout, we will work down on the mat with the flex band. We add in flexion and rotation and some more challenging exercises for the abdominals and arms in this session. If you still have a diastasis then I recommend that you do not start this session yet (please refer back to...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 4 #4

    In this 20 minute session, you will work up in a standing position. We will use weights, but don't worry if you don't have any, you could do the exercises without or grab some filled water bottles and use those instead. We will be adding rotation so if you still have a diastasis then I recommen...

  • Postnatal Program - Level 4 #5

    This 24 minute session is a circuit of lots of different Pilates exercises. We will do three different sets of exercises, to give us a full body workout. We will be increasing the intensity a bit in this session, as well as adding on more flexion and rotation, so if you still have a diastasis t...

  • Postnatal Program - Meditation

    In this 6 minute meditation, I will talk you through some relaxation techniques. We will focus on your breath to help calm the mind and body. This is the perfect mindful break to allow you to relax and recentre before returning to your day with energy and positivity.

  • Postnatal Program - Diastasis Recti Handout

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  • Postnatal Program - Nutrition Handout

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  • Postnatal Program - Breathing Handout

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  • Postnatal Program - Sleep Handout

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  • Postnatal Program - Welcome Letter

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