Tag: Pregnancy fitness

Olympic Champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’s Top 3 Tips for a Fit Pregnancy

Coming back to win her third world championship title in Beijing just 15 months after welcoming her first son Reggie, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is an expert when it comes to training through pregnancy & postpartum recovery.

Here at Seraphine, we are delighted to be partnering with the Olympic champion heptathlete & mum of two & her new fitness app @jennispregnancy.

Jessica Ennis-Hill Talks Training Through Pregnancy

Staying active through pregnancy is a fantastic way to prepare your body for the challenges of labour. We caught up with Jessica to find out some of her tops tips.

1) Jennis Pregnancy – a Tailored Pregnancy Workout Program

Get the Look: The Seraphine Active Kit

The Jennis app was developed by Jessica & her team, based on her experience of training before, during & after pregnancy. The app provides 3 separate programs, tailored for general fitness, fitness during pregnancy & postnatal recovery.

It offers a range of fun workouts that are easy to follow at home, with options tailored for all abilities & fitness levels as well as every stage of pregnancy.

With Jessica guiding you through the sessions, it’s almost like having her as your own personal trainer! We think it’s the perfect fitness companion for women at every stage of their journey into motherhood.

Find out more at Jennisfitness.com

2) A Supportive Sports Bra

Get the Look: Black Maternity & Nursing Sports Bra

“One of the most important things while you’re training during pregnancy is having the support of a good sports bra.” – Jessica Ennis-Hill

At Seraphine, all our sports bras are designed to offer the optimal level of support for pregnancy as well as easy nursing access – perfect for after baby arrives.

3) Comfortable Maternity Workout Clothes

“Having clothing that fits you well can make you feel happier when you’re training, so hopefully you feel that you can do a little bit more.” – Jessica Ennis-Hill

Like Jess, we believe that when you feel comfortable & confident in your workout clothes, you’re more likely to work harder & come away from your session feeling positive & energised!

We have a fantastic range of maternity activewear, all designed to be comfy, breathable & to grow with your changing body.

Browse the full maternity sportswear collection online today.

Spiritual Fitness: Kundalini Yoga for Before, During & After Pregnancy

Kundalini yoga is a fantastic way to keep fit, fight stress and boost your mood.

It can help to keep you centred during early pregnancy & can even help to ease postnatal depression. Read on to find out more about this ancient practice.

 

What is Kundalini Yoga?

Originating from ancient Tibetan practices, this kind of yoga combines asana (postures), breath, meditation, mantras (chanting) and mudras (hand positions). It works directly on the nervous system and the glands to encourage positive brain chemistry.

Regular practice develops fitness, spirituality, positivity and creativity.

 


The Seraphine Active Kit is ideal for pregnancy yoga and adapts to your shape after baby is born. – Get the kit now

And don’t miss the matching maternity & nursing sports bra

 

Kundalini Yoga During Early Pregnancy

In normal circumstances, women can practice this form of yoga up until the 120th day of pregnancy (end of the 4th month). After this, it is generally recommended to switch to a specific pregnancy-centric yoga class.

 

 

How can it help combat postnatal depression?

Kundalini yoga expert Harmanjot Kaur claims that regular practice can help to rebalance the hormonal system after pregnancy, boosting oxytocin and dopamine. It also helps to bring the body back into shape and helps new mums to create stronger bonds with baby.

Kundalini practitioners believe that for the first 40 days after a baby is born, the aura of the mother and newborn remain closely intertwined. Harmanjot explains that this kind of yoga works on that magnetic pathway to increase connection and communication.

 

If you’re interested in finding out more, check out Harmanjot’s website.

You can also purchase her new DVDs Kundalini Yoga for Happiness and Health.

Postnatal Exercises to try with Baby | Pregnancy Yoga Video

So you’ve had your baby & are now raring to get back into your groove with some gentle postnatal exercises. It’s important to take your time with this – listen to your body and wait at least 6 weeks before you start in earnest. But once you feel ready, a little gentle exercise is a fantastic way to tone up, boost your mood and even bond with baby!

So slip into your post pregnancy leggings or Seraphine Active Kit & try these fun postnatal exercises at home with baby!

 

P.S. If you’re still expecting, scroll to the bottom to find a fabulous 25 minute pregnancy yoga video to follow at home…

 

Exercise with baby

This is just about the sweetest way we can think of to start toning your tum!

Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet placed firmly on the floor in a position ready to do sit ups. Sit baby half way up the slope of your thighs, holding him in place around his middle. Then simply do a set of regular sit ups, kissing baby at the top of each one! Aim for 3 sets of 12.

 

 

Front stroller squats

Who needs weights when you have a little bundle of joy to lift!

Strap baby into his front carrier, stand with your feet just over a shoulder width apart and complete a set of regular squats. Bend your knees to lower your body into an imaginary chair, keeping your weight over your heels. Aim for 3 sets of 12.

 

 

Buggy Lunges

Tone up and make baby laugh!

Put baby in the buggy facing you, then complete a set of regular lunges, stopping at the bottom to pull a funny face and make baby laugh, before slowly returning to your neutral position. This is great for toning your legs and baby will love this fun new game!

 

 

Exercise with baby

Teach baby his ABCs and tighten up your abs while you’re at it!

Lying flat on your back with baby next to you, place your arms at your sides and extend your legs straight up toward the ceiling, feet together.
Recite the alphabet slowly to baby, drawing each letter in the air with your toes. Keep the moves slow and controlled, and be sure to keep your belly button pulled in toward the floor. Aim to make it through the entire alphabet.

 

 

Exercise with baby

Lie baby down on your mat and position your hands either side of her for a set of regular press ups. This is perfect for toning up your arms, and baby will find it completely hilarious. If those delighted giggles don’t motivate you to finish the set, we don’t know what will!

 

 

Keeping Fit Through Pregnancy

If you still have a while to wait before you meet your little bundle of joy, why not try some gentle pregnancy yoga! Yoga is a fantastic way to stay active through your nine months – It’s perfect for relieving tension both physically and mentally, and can even help you to prepare for labour and speed up your recovery time. With regular practice, you’ll feel energised and more connected to both your body and your baby.

 

A video posted by HOUSE OF VOGA (@houseofvogahq) on

Gorgeous Voga Mamas love our Seamless Over Bump Maternity Leggings

 

Our stunning model Danielle is much more than just a pretty face! She is an experienced yogi, and runs her own wellness and clean living blog Natually Dee, complete with healthy recipes, yoga routines and reflections on pregnancy and impending motherhood. Check out her 25 minute calming yoga routine, made in collaboration with YouTube wellness sensation Wild Dish…

 

 

When it comes to pregnancy workouts and postnatal exercises, the most important thing is to listen to your body, and only do as much as you feel comfortable with.

 

 

Jessica Ennis Hill Talks Pregnancy, Training and Living for Sport

Inspirational athlete and mum-to-be Jessica Ennis-Hill appeared on Sky Sports this week, talking about pregnancy, training and her plans for a come back at the 2016 Rio Olympics! Jessica, her husband Andy and their chocolate Labrador Myla are expecting a new addition to their family very soon!

 

The Olympic Heptathlon champion has kept up her training throughout her pregnancy, though she admits she’s easing it off now that she’s into the later stages – opting for regular gentle swimming, cycling and running sessions. Some women are wary of doing too much exercise during pregnancy, but if like Jessica, you are used to an active lifestyle, carrying on with your regular routine won’t hurt you or your baby. Just as long as you are sensible and listen to your body’s signals, it can actually be incredibly beneficial.

Staying active certainly doesn’t seem to have done Jessica any harm! She looked fantastic on screen, showing off her radiant pregnancy glow in our Black Knot Front Maternity Top, which she accessorised with a chunky statement necklace.

 

Jessica Ennis Hill pregnant wearing a Seraphine maternity top

 

She was there as a judge for Sky Sports’ Living for Sport Awards. Jessica and her fellow sports stars David Beckham, world champion boxer Katie Taylor and Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell are acting as ambassadors for the programme, which is working with schools to encourage teenagers to try new sports. Campbell explains the programme’s aim:

“We’re using sport stars and sport skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people.

Sport helps people think, helps people listen, helps people to speak up and helps people work together.  Different sports inspire different people but one thing is true: there’s a sport for everyone and it can change your life.”

 

Jessica Ennis Hill pregnancy yoga

 

This seems like good advice for all of us – not just kids in school!

If you are planning to get active during your pregnancy, make sure you have a few good pairs of maternity leggings. International super model and mum-to-be Doutzen Kroes chose our  Bamboo Maternity Leggings for her pre-natal ballet classes – they are made in an ultra soft fabric designed to support your new curves and keep you cool, wicking away sweat. And why not hit the pool for a few laps or a fun aqua-aerobics class in our Black Racer Back Swimsuit!

 

So don’t be afraid to get outside and get active – a good workout is guaranteed to raise your energy levels and boost your mood!

 

Watch Jessica’s Interview Now

 

 

Other Articles You May Like:

Work, train, strut: Victoria Beckham works out at work – you can too!
Postnatal exercise – Keep fit, bond with baby and boost your mood
Let yoga keep you calm and fit during pregnancy

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