Media Release:

Pregnant pilates star calls in the film crew

World's first trimester specific pilates DVDs to feature pregnant instructor

When UK born pilates expert Tasha Lawton fell pregnant with her second child she called a film crew in to produce something she knew women needed - a trimester tailored pilates video for fellow mums-to-be.

The 33-year-old instructor and TV presenter, who first trained at Melbourne's National Pilates Centre, was filmed during each of her trimesters - and the footage has been used to create four 55-minute pilates workouts, called 'Pregalates'.

Tasha, who used to co-present Australia's popular Pilates TV and appear regularly as an expert panelist on the country's Lifestyle Channel, explained: "I became passionate about pilates eight years ago and practiced it several times a week when I was pregnant with my daughter, Yasmin.

"Both my pregnancies were fantastic - no backache, cramps or any problems sleeping. I kept pretty small and returned to my pre-baby size in a sensible but pleasing timeframe. I am convinced this was largely down to pilates."

Tasha, who now lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia with husband Matt, daughter Yasmin (5) and son Harvey (3), added: "Although I watched various pilates videos when I was expecting Yasmin the empathy just wasn't there and the workout wasn't realistic. So, when I found out I was pregnant for a second time I knew exactly what I wanted to do - create something for pregnant women, by a pregnant woman."

Juggling her passion for pilates with the demands of motherhood and a second pregnancy, Tasha wrote and presented four videos for DVD - one during each of her trimesters and a fourth after son Harvey was born.

"Each DVD is based on exercises which are suitable for that specific stage of a pregnancy and then there is a postnatal one - a time when most women want to get safely back into shape," said Tasha. "Pilates is a form of exercise which focuses on core strength and posture, things that are so important during pregnancy. As a woman's stomach gets bigger you get a curvature on the lower back and pressure on the pelvic floor.

"When you are expecting you can feel like you aren't in control and your body is bulging out in all directions. Pilates gives you a feeling of control back. It focuses on precise movements which get the body into alignment. It also teaches you to breathe properly -to fill up your lungs as a singer does - which is fabulous for childbirth."

Tasha, who, originally from the UK, has been living in Australia for 8 years but only just recently moved to the Sunshine Coast - with two children and a determination to sell pilates and pregnancy to the world!

"Now that life has a semblance of stability again and we are settled in our new home it is time to officially share the story of my pregnancy and pilates videos - 'pregalates'," said Tasha. "Pilates has been life-changing for me - and now it can be for new mums and mums-to-be everywhere."

Follow Tasha through three trimesters and beyond with Pregalates - available from www.pregalates.com.

Read more about Tasha Lawton.

Mum Zone Release Date: 6th January 2009

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