Form Body Lab has a pre and post natal program like nothing else that I've been able to find in Vancouver. Pushing a child out of your body is messy business and a lot can go wrong. Even if things go fine, your body experiences trauma and needs to be rehabilitated. My experience was horrible and I suffered from third degree tearing. It was debilitating. I was taking so many painkillers that the first couple months of my baby's life is a blur. I couldn't stand for more than a minute or so for about a month. I couldn't lift my seven-pound baby for a couple months. I couldn't sit properly for almost 4 months, I had to breast feed lying down on my side.
The doctors ploughed me with painkillers and stool softeners and sent me on my way but never spoke to me about rehabilitation beyond "rest" and "being careful". I started to work with Jessica Slonski at Form Body Lab twice a week along with a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Jessica had an open dialogue with my physiotherapist and they worked to establish a rehabilitation regime that was ever changing as I progressed. The physiotherapist said that she never saw someone with my complications rehab so quickly and she credits Pilates for that.
Jessica's knowledge and knowhow are second to none. I have worked with many Pilate's instructors and none have the precision that she has. She has the ability to pinpoint specific weaknesses that are unique to your body and build your physicality, to not only rehab those weaknesses, but also build you a body that is form perfect. While rehabbing my very complicated injury she built me a body that I can be proud of. My posture is better, I am more aware of my body; I'm stronger all over and have longer, leaner looking muscles.
Now that I am pregnant with my second child working with Jessica has evolved into building me a strong and reliable body that can handle the many changes that a pregnant body endures. The result is a much happier and healthier pregnancy. My body adapts easily to the quick weight gain, the changes in my skeletal structure are not painful and I feel like the baby has more room. Jessica is sensitive to the ever-changing needs of a pregnant woman, adapting exercises to accommodate certain uncomfortable positions without compromising the workout. Beyond Jessica, they have a pelvic floor physiotherapist and a registered massage therapist who specialize in pre and post natal. The Mommy and Me pilates class is a wonderful way to reconnect with your body while meeting new moms.
Form Body Lab has become such an important part of my health and lifestyle that even my husband has begun doing Pilates with Jessica and the results in his already athletic body are amazing. She gives athletes more body awareness so that they can get the most out of any kind of exercise they choose. read more