my movement story part 2*
getting physically stronger post pregnancy and pandemic
this is Artful Movement, created by Bridget Stacey Luff, exploring ways of expression and release through the body…
About eight years ago I was living a very physical life, more so than perhaps I’d ever had. I was practicing yoga, dance, Pilates, cycling and even going to the gym. And in the midst of all this I conceived, after many years of trying1. Being finally pregnant was joyful and confusing. I was happy and excited but also felt very exhausted and nauseous and after 8 weeks I started vomiting excessively, between two and ten times a day. It was an ongoing all-day morning sickness, called Hyperemesis Gravidarnum, which basically means lots of vomiting and relentless nausea which didn’t stop until I gave birth.
So I spent days, weeks then months in bed and did things like suck ice cubes, eat popcorn and watch Pride and Prejudice. I was forced to stop, slow down and just be in the mess. I wish I could say that I levitated through it but although it was enlightening in many ways, a lot of that time was me feeling very frustrated and trying to get through the day in whatever way I could. And yes, joyfully in the end I had a beautiful baby and the vomiting stopped. I was humbled to feel so sick and very grateful that I knew why and when it would stop. It was absolutely worth it but it was also very difficult.
As a new mother it meant that my body was weakened from the toll of dehydration and malnourishment and being medically described by nurses as ‘geriatric’ (at age 39, ha). With a baby who woke a lot at night, I had lots of cake and coffee to keep me going during lockdowns and long nights. I swore to myself that I’d get back into shape as soon as I could but I found that when I tried to ‘kick my butt’, I’d get injured quickly and the strength wasn’t coming back like it used to.
In my early forties I started to research about how to repair and recover my physical strength from the inside out, focusing a lot on the female body with its shifting hormones and nervous system to find a better rhythm for me to strengthen. Starting with my pelvic floor which had weakened. I rewound to the basics, I did breathwork, fascia studies, hypopressives, physio-therapy, gentle Pilates and low impact exercise - I discovered a world of online teachers that could help me, blending what I’d known before with completely new-to-me information.
Very slowly I began to recover some mobility and strength. I made the decision to try to teach more of what I was doing and trained as a Pilates teacher and that helped me really connect to my centre and build confidence back in my body. I began dancing again. I started to go back to the gym. What used to take a few months in my body to recover took me five years but finally I feel something vaguely like the way I did before. I can feel my core and pelvic muscles responding quicker. I can run after my son without feeling like I might pee or pass out.
It has been challenging for me to shift my mindset around what my practice and even my body should look and feel like, but with so much wonder and good stuff along the way.
I’ve long wanted to create an online course that’s strength building but in a nuanced and conscious way, with space to notice what’s going on. Something that can be done by anyone who is returning to exercise or rehabilitating in some way, but also those who are regular movers (in whatever ways) because it’s always good to try new ways of moving, the body loves to mix it up. This course is something I wish I’d had a few years ago when trying to find my way back into my body again. So, finally, CORE COURSE is here:
It’s made with love and joy, in one of my favourite cities in the world (Cape Town) with one of my favourite people. 7 Practices for the new season and new term. You can sign up anytime, start anytime, do it in your own time2. Always feel free to get in touch with any questions or comments about it, and please do share this post and/or course with anyone you think may like it, the shares, subscribes and responses are always much appreciated.
Until next time,
Bridget x
NB I don’t think the exercise I was doing had anything to do with me becoming pregnant
There is a discount for single parents and those with a weaker currency (eg South Africa) - please email me if that applies to you.
*other parts of my movement story still to come, in layers, and not in any particular order