Tai Chi for Pregnancy

Restore your body and mind with our safe, gentle Tai Chi program for mother and baby.

Tai Chi for Pregnancy is a soothing, yet powerful regimen for maintaining good health during pregnancy where you can gain balance and strength while feeling relaxed. With our program that is moderate enough to be practiced during the last trimester, you can experience the benefits of optimal qi flow with increased energy and bodily function, and more peace and groundedness.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, (ACOG), identifies the following physical challenges that occur during pregnancy. All of which Tai Chi is well known to greatly improve.

Joints: The hormones made during pregnancy cause the ligaments that support your joints to become relaxed. This makes the joints more mobile and at risk of injury. Avoid jerky, bouncy, or high-impact motions that can increase your risk of being hurt.

Balance: The extra weight in the front of your body shifts your center of gravity. This places stress on joints and muscles, especially those in your pelvis and lower back. Because you are less stable and more likely to lose your balance, you are at greater risk of falling.

Breathing: When you exercise, oxygen and blood flow are directed to your muscles and away from other areas of your body. While you are pregnant, your need for oxygen increases. This may affect your ability to do strenuous exercise, especially if you have complications during your pregnancy.

The ACOG also lists the following important benefits of regular exercise during pregnancy. Tai Chi is the ideal exercise for these benefits.

• Reduces back pain
• Eases constipation
• May decrease risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery
• Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy
• Improves overall general fitness and strengthens your heart and blood vessels
• Helps eliminate pregnancy weight after giving birth

Tai Chi and Postpartum

“After I had my baby, my pelvis was anteriorly rotated and my legs and feet were spread wider due to the loosening of ligaments and the pregnancy waddle. Because Tai Chi is about keeping the pelvic area in alignment and moving as one unit—especially the pelvic area—I was able to use Tai Chi to restore my gait my fix my pelvic rotation.”
– Frances Phelps

Optimal Qi Flow

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the optimal balance and flow of qi are essential to mental and physical health. Unlike any other form of exercise, Tai Chi has the unique capacity to balance and restore deficient areas of qi leading to increased energy and bodily function, and feeling more calm and grounded.

Additional Benefits:

• Post-partum: Tai Chi enhances recovery by restoring your body’s optimal postural alignment after birth.
• Live Classes: Support your Tai Chi practice with online classes offered several times a month.
• Forum Discussions: Meet other Chi Force members in your class and receive the answers to your questions from our instructors in our forums.
• Convenience: Learn at your own pace with minimal space and no equipment.

Related Blog Posts:

• Tai Chi for Pregnancy: A Tool for Wellness and Self-Care
• Tai Chi while Pregnant: What are the benefits?

Meet Your Instructor

The Tai Chi for Pregnancy course was created by Chi Force’s Stephan Berwick and his student, Frances Phelps. She provides guidance on the core movements of Tai Chi that she found most beneficial to practice during her own pregnancy. Frances actually teaches the whole course while in her third trimester! Her instruction covers 5 carefully chosen Tai Chi movement-types, that when done in order with Frances’ tenor and pacing, provides a stress-releasing health and well-being exercise regimen ideal for pregnant women.

FAQ

• What skill level is this course?
  This course is at a beginner level.
• What course do I take next?
  Although Tai Chi for Pregnancy is a standalone course, we recommend Fundamentals and Silk Reeling to complement this course.
• How long do I have access to this course?
  You have lifetime access to the course if you purchase it. Otherwise, access is for the duration of your membership.
• Is this video offered in different languages?
  Other languages are not offered at this time.
• Am I able to have online sessions with the instructor?
  Live online classes are offered during the month.  For personal training, please send your request to info@chiforce.com.
• Can I purchase this course or membership for someone else?
  Each course is available to purchase for you or another. For All-Access Membership for another, please send your request to info@chiforce.com.