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Lake Como Woman Pioneers 'Pilates for Mommies' Class

Incorporate Your New Bundle of Joy Into Your Workout!

New moms wondering how to balance children with career will be inspired by Sandi Vilacoba, who balances her children at her career as a professional Pilates instructor.

OK, that statement’s partially true:  As the pioneer and teacher of Pilates for Mommies classes, she can’t balance her children during her class, as she has to monitor and teach the mothers.  But, she does balance her 13-month-old twins, Layla and David, during certain moves when she practices her Pilates at home.

What inspired this innovative Lake Como resident to brainstorm and begin this unique class offered by the Monmouth County Park System?  The idea stemmed from Vilacoba’s pregnancy – and the months following – during which she was “Pilates-deprived.” 

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“I had a very difficult pregnancy,” explained Vilacoba.  “I was pregnant with twins and I was on bed rest for almost four months.”

She was eager to feel her muscles again and to get back into shape, but with twins she couldn’t find the time to exercise.  The classically trained Pilates instructor began to multi-task and incorporate the twins into her workout, and noticed they enjoyed it too.

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“I pitched the idea to the Monmouth County Park System, and they liked the idea.  I am currently teaching a class at Dorbrook Park, Colts Neck,” said the lithe brunette, who mentioned while Pilates for Mommies is not for pregnant women, “Pilates offers a lot of benefits during pregnancy such as less aches and pains, easier labor, better posture and quicker recovery.”

She stressed you don’t have to be a “super athlete” to do Pilates, and while walking and running are good for you, Pilates targets areas affected by pregnancy.  It’s gentle on the body, and a safe and effective way to strengthen abdominal muscles after pregnancy, according to Vilacoba.

Memorial Day and beach season are upon us – could Pilates for Mommies get new mothers swimsuit-ready?  “Traditional Pilates exercises – which target the abdominals, hips, thighs, lower back, buttocks and triceps – are effective in safely rehabilitating the areas most affected by pregnancy,” she said, noting modified routines in her classes will be available for women who have had C-sections.  The healthy and therapeutic exercises can “seriously help post-partum women restore balance and strength,” she commented.

OK, so you’re not a bikini-slash-beach-slash-pool person.  So, how about doing something healthy with your child – all while meeting other new mothers as well?  “Pilates for Mommies will help you gently whip your post-partum body back in shape while bonding with your new baby,” said Vilacoba.

Ab muscles aren’t needed for just bikinis.  Pilates strengthens the abdominal muscles to help counter the wear and tear on the spine which often comes from lifting and carrying the baby all day, claimed Vilacoba.  The instructor has worked with several pre-natal and post-partum women, and noted exercising with children stimulates them as well.

Judging from her twins’ smiles and coos while Vilacoba practiced at home, this is true … although “Elmo” on the DVD was running a close second!  Since there aren’t TVs in the Pilates for Mommies class of six mothers, there are minimal distractions, and “mothers can spend quality time with their baby,” claimed Vilacoba.

Classes – open to mothers, and children age six weeks to nine months – are totally safe for babies.  There is no need to get clearance from a pediatrician as the children aren’t being used as “weights,” but are balanced – while being cradled by moms – during certain moves.  Vilacoba related babies in Pilates for Mommies especially like an exercise called “Rolling Like a Ball,” in which they look at each other and genuinely enjoy the experience.  There are occasional meltdowns, but “It doesn’t bother me – they’re babies,” and added “Mothers should not feel uncomfortable if their baby has a meltdown.”

Vilacoba’s expertise ensures mommies don’t have meltdowns.  “A well-trained instructor knows how to tailor the workout to the student’s fitness level and make sure the student is doing the exercises correctly so they do not injure themselves,” she commented.

Apparently, she’s pretty “well-trained.”  The classically trained Pilates instructor has endured intense 600-hour teacher training, and is certified to teach pre- and post-natal exercise through Healthy Moms.

A former ballet and jazz dancer who performed with several dance companies and on national tours, Vilacoba started doing Pilates 15 years ago after suffering from lower back pain from dancing.  “It really helped my back and it made me so much stronger,” said the mother, who’s been teaching Pilates for a decade.

While the energetic mom does do it all – raises twins, teaches Pilates, grants interviews – she does “get by with a little help from her friends,” in the form of humble, devoted husband of four years, Karl, a PR specialist with a nonprofit, and an editor for a national magazine, both in Newark.  A patient father, he pitches in with Layla and David, and on occasion, busts a move in Pilates at home, although “Sandi said my form’s not that good,” he quipped.

The active Vilacoba has no plans of regrouping, rather will teach a Pilates for Mommies class this summer at Pilates on the Edge, Colts Neck, and another class for the Park System next fall.  “I feel good,” stated Vilacoba about her reaction to her students, and continued “I wanted to help others the way Pilates had helped me.”

For more information, visit Sandi Vilacoba’s website at www.thepilatesproject.net.

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