Elaine Petrone - The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy

The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy

Relieve Back Pain, Ease Labor, Reduce Stress, Regain a Flat Belly, and More

by Elaine Petrone

Workman Publishing New York

Note to Readers

This book is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Therefore before trying any of the exercises described in this book, you should consult your obstetrician/gynecologist or other health care provider. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from your performing any of the exercises in this book.

Dedication

Women usually take care of everyone else before they take care of themselves. My mother once told me that she waited for her familys problems to be solved before she could start living her life. That never happened. So, do something good for yourself. Dont wait. Start now.

This book is dedicated to my mom and to all the women past, present, and future who have gone on this journey with me.

Contents

Foreword

The majority of women will experience discomfort during the course of pregnancy. Elaine Petrones method offers a non-invasive, low impact, and financially practical solution to ease the tensions associated with pregnancy and help women find relief.

In this book, Elaine takes her proven techniques for realigning the body with muscle relaxation and proper breathing, and adapts them for pregnancy. The passive realignment process is ideally suited for the pregnant woman who may find strenuous exercise difficult. By simply using their weight to realign and adjust their bodies, women can better accommodate the major physiological changes they experience during pregnancy. In addition, the focus on proper breathing is essential in preparing for a successful delivery.

Elaine walks the reader through the fundamental Ball concepts and then provides step-by-step directions that make these simple moves and positions easy to master. The low-impact Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy is a tool that most pregnant woman will find useful at any stage in their pregnancy and the months that follow.

Lance R. Bruck, M.D.

Chairman, Department of Obstetrics

and Gynecology, Stamford Hospital

Stamford, Connecticut

Introduction

The idea for this book grew out of my own prenatal and postpartum experience as well as the experiences of thousands of women who have attended my classes over the years. So many suffered from pregnancy-related issues such as sciatic pain, backaches, weight problems, elevated stress levels, TMJ, and more. They would tell me: Ive had sciatic pain ever since having my third child, or I cant get my shape back. One mother of twins told me she had chronic stomach discomfort since giving birth25 years ago! After practicing the Miracle Ball Method, they found that their pain was relieved. Their muscles adjusted, allowing the shape of their body to improve. They lost inches. They stood taller. They were more relaxed.

Pregnancy can be a wonderful time. It can also be a time of physical discomfort and emotional stress. Over nine months, your body changes dramatically, literally reshaping itself in order to house and nourish your baby. As your belly grows, you may experience backaches, indigestion, and difficulty breathing, sleeping, and moving. Compounded with the practical and emotional concerns that go along with preparing for a new child, its no wonder that many pregnant women feel overwhelmed.

The solution for most of these pregnancy-related complaintsboth physical and emotionalis the same: Reduce your muscle tension. The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy teaches you to let go of tension, making your muscles supple enough to allow your body to realign and reshape. Simply by resting on the balls and focusing on your breath, you can relieve aches and pains, lower your stress levels, and focus your energy on enjoying your pregnancy and the following months with your new baby.

My Story

I developed the Miracle Ball Method out of my own experience with chronic back pain. I tried various therapies and found little relief. One day, I rested my knee on a ball and simply let its weight give in to gravity. The tension released and my pain dramatically lessened. I listened to my body and continued to experiment with resting different body parts on the ball. I began to make the connection that if I worked less, I got better results. Within months I went from walking with a limp to being in the best shape of my life.

Thats why, when I became pregnant with twins, I was sure I would sail through the nine months. Instead, I noticed that my posture was rounding, and my breathing was labored. My belly was growing so large that even walking was a challenge! Then I realized that relief was at my fingertips. I tailored my method to target the areas that were plaguing me and the results were amazing.

My postpartum period presented an entirely new set of challenges. Carrying such large babies (7 pounds each!) had left my body a mess. I had what is called twin skin, excess skin that I could roll up and tuck into my pants. On top of that, my stress levels soared. The method was more essential than ever.

Gradually my muscles began to lengthen and my body to realign. I began to regain my shape as well as my confidence and energy, allowing me to do the real work of taking care of my babies.

Moms and the Miracle Ball

Millions of people found relief from my previous books, The Miracle Ball Method, published in 2003, and The Portable Miracle Ball Method, published in 2006. Ive received letters from readers all over the globe saying that they were finally free from issues like back pain, sciatic pain, sleeplessness, headaches, and more, thanks to this program. Many of them, like the women in my classes, were pregnant or dealing with issues related to their pregnancies. This book is for them.

We women, especially moms, try so hard to get everything done, we leave little time for ourselves. We may not have the spare hours or funds for a gym or a personal trainer but healing our body of its aches and pains and regaining our shape shouldnt be a luxury. This method is ideal for the overworked, stressed mom or mom-to-be because it doesnt require you to do much more than rest on the ball and breathe. One ball placement, if done well, will create a chain reaction throughout your whole body. Simply by feeling the weight and releasing your tension, your body can recover from the miraculous work of carrying and delivering your baby. So dont wait. Start now.

chapter one

The Miracle Ball Method and Pregnancy

The Miracle Ball Method is deceptively simple: You place the ball under whichever body part youve chosen, take note of your breath, and let your weight be absorbed by the ball. As you slowly release your excess tension, over time your muscles will become supple enough to allow your bones to realign and your posture to improve.