I am proud and honored to announce that Babies at the Barre has been chosen as an American Small Business Champion by SCORE and Sam’s Club!

The American Small Business Championship (championship.score.org) awarded this title to 102 small businesses, two in every state and the District of Columbia, for their dedication to the success of their businesses. Each state winner will be awarded a $1,000 Sam’s Club gift card, an all-expense-paid trip to a training and networking event in Dallas, TX, SCORE mentoring and publicity throughout the year. Each Champion is also eligible for one of three $25,000 grand prizes.

I am so honored to have been chosen for this award! When I began this business almost two years ago in 2015, I just wanted to be able to teach barre and pilates style classes without having to leave my 4 month old with a sitter. My dream began to grow as interest began to grow in classes in my area. Soon I wanted to be able to offer safe and effective exercise for new moms done while baby is worn in a carrier and moms get a chance to connect with other new moms. I hoped to serve the community by providing the best new mom postpartum class and experience around.  ​

Again, this dream grew as interest was not only local, but national. I developed the Babies at the Barre™ Comprehensive Instructor Manual and began training other moms so they could re-create this great class for moms in their communities. I have been amazed that what I started locally has expanded to include instructors in 5 states and countless numbers of moms who have taken classes and learned about safe ways to exercise postpartum. 

The prizes, training, publicity and SCORE mentoring Babies at the Barre, LLC have been awarded will help take this business to the next level, and better serve you, our instructors, clients, fellow moms, and friends.  We look forward to attending the training event in Dallas, TX next month!

Thank you for your support! I can't wait to bring you more from Babies at the Barre™!

#BizChampion

Diastasis recti is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles (AKA - your abs). Sometimes you can hear diastasis explained as different things...spilt abs, mummy tummy, mommy pooch, and the list goes on. 
​Some amount of diastasis is common in pregnant and postpartum women and is more likely in subsequent pregnancies. Diastasis occurs because the relaxin hormone, that hormone that helps your connective tissues, joint, and ligaments loosen and widen so baby can be born, weakens the fascia (connective tissue) that holds together the two rectus abdominal muscles.
Let’s take a look at normal abs and abs with diastasis recti (apologies in advance...I am not an artist)!

​This is the ideal image of your abdominals.
There is little or no separation (0-2 finger widths apart).

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​If you have had a C-section you have an opening below your navel. In a c-section they cut your abdominal muscles in order to get to your uterus to get baby out. They may have sewn your lower abdominals back together, but you will require extra care and attention.

How can you heal diastasis if you have any and how can you protect yourself from developing it? We will chat about this today on our Facebook LIVE at 2pm EST. Tune in and come with questions or head to the Babies at the Barre™ Facebook Page to catch the replay.