Teaching Pilates for Pregnancy: The 3 Pillars of Confident, Whole-Person Support

Ask any Pilates teacher what they focus on when a client becomes pregnant, and the first answer is usually: modifications.

And yes—those matter. We need to know which movements to adjust, what’s safe in each trimester, and how to keep clients physically supported as their bodies change.

But after years of working with pregnant women—and mentoring teachers—I’ve realized something: focusing only on exercise adaptations misses the bigger picture.

Pregnancy is one of the most transformative journeys a person can experience. It’s physical, yes—but also emotional, psychological, and deeply personal. When we hold space for that whole experience, everything about our teaching changes.

For me, the foundation of excellent pregnancy Pilates comes down to three pillars. And when you integrate all three, you don’t just keep clients “safe”—you empower them to feel strong, supported, and connected at every stage.

Safe & Intelligent Movement

It’s tempting to think of prenatal Pilates as “gentler Pilates.” But here’s the thing: our goal isn’t just to avoid harm—it’s to support a body that’s working overtime in every way.

During pregnancy, the body is constantly adapting. Posture shifts, ligaments soften, blood volume increases, and the core faces a completely new challenge. A one-dimensional focus—like just working the  pelvic floor or only doing stretching—won’t meet those needs.

To really support your client, your sessions need to balance:

Mobility – keeping joints supple, easing discomfort in the back, hips, and chest, and preparing the body for the demands of labor.

Strength – especially in the glutes, back, and deep core, to support the pelvis and spine and reduce injury risk.

Cardiovascular health – to help manage energy levels, improve circulation, and maintain stamina as pregnancy progresses.

Why cardio? Pregnancy increases heart rate and blood volume significantly. Light to moderate cardio-based movement (yes, even within Pilates!) supports endurance and overall well-being.

Something to try now:
As you plan your next prenatal session, do a quick check:
Am I offering a balance of breathwork, strength, and mobility? Am I watching not just for “correct form,” but how she feels as she moves?

When you address the whole system, your client feels supported in every way that matters.

Finding the Right Words: Cueing with Sensitivity and Soul

We all know how important cueing is in Pilates. But in pregnancy, cueing becomes something deeper. It’s not just about anatomy—it’s about connection.

A pregnant woman’s body is in constant communication—with herself, her baby, and her surroundings. She’s more attuned, more sensitive, and often more vulnerable. That means the words we choose, the tone we use, and the energy we bring into the room matter just as much as the movements we teach.

Think of it this way:
You’re not just guiding a body through exercises.
You’re guiding a whole person—and a new life growing with her.

The usual cues we might use—“engage your abs,” “pull your belly in”—can feel harsh or even disconnecting in this context. What she needs is language that supports, nurtures, and honors her experience.

For example: instead of saying, “Activate your core,”
try: “Let’s invite a feeling of lift from deep inside—as if your baby is being gently supported from below, cradled as you move.”

Or instead of, “Brace your belly,”
try: “Allow your belly to stay soft as you breathe in. On the exhale, feel a subtle rising—a sense of tone, not tension.”

These words do more than cue movement—they build trust, calm the nervous system, and remind her of her deep inner strength.

And it’s not just what you say—it’s how you say it. A calm tone. A grounded presence. The ability to meet her where she is, whether that’s strong and energized or tired and uncertain.

This kind of cueing might feel simple, but it has a profound impact. It helps her feel seen, supported, and connected—not just to her body, but to her experience of pregnancy itself.

In my experience, mastering this kind of language is one of the most transformative skills a teacher can develop. It’s not just technique—it’s care, and it changes everything.

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Emotional Safety & Whole-Person Support

Here’s the piece that gets overlooked most often—and, in my experience, the one that makes the biggest difference.

Pregnancy is a time of incredible change. Alongside the physical shifts, your client is navigating emotional highs and lows, identity changes, and often deep vulnerability. Even confident, experienced movers can feel shaken by how different their bodies feel.

This is where your presence as a teacher becomes just as important as your technical skill.

What your client needs isn’t just great cueing. She needs a space that feels safe, supportive, and free from judgment or pressure. She needs to know it’s okay to have good days and harder ones—that Pilates is a place where she can connect to her body in whatever state it’s in.

A practice to build in:
Start each session with an open-ended check-in:
“How are you feeling today—physically and emotionally?”
Really listen to the answer. Be ready to adapt your plan if needed. Sometimes the best session is one that simply holds space for breath, gentle movement, and presence.

In the course, we go deeper into the psychology of working with pregnant clients: how to build trust, navigate sensitive topics, and foster true mind-body integration during this transformational time.

Why It All Matters

If you’ve ever felt unsure—whether it’s about what to say, how to cue, or how to create the safest and most empowering experience for your pregnant clients—you’re not alone. This is deep, layered work. And when we bring presence, sensitivity, and real understanding to it, the impact is powerful.

When you build your teaching on these three pillars—safe, intelligent movement; language that resonates; and whole-person emotional support—you offer more than just a workout. You offer a space for strength, trust, and transformation.

Want to Go Deeper?

At IVA' Pilates, we’re preparing something special: a focused session designed to give you real skills and confidence in working with pregnant clients. Together, we’ll cover:

• Trimester-by-trimester strategies
  
  
• Breath, fascia, and core integration
  
  
• Emotional and psychological awareness
  
  
• The art of cueing and language that supports, not stresses
  
  
• Real-world adaptations for mat & apparatus
  
  

If you want to be part of this, we’d love to have you on the waitlist.

👉Join the waitlist here

With heart,
Iva 💛

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