carseat mechanics

In the first year of life babies travel in the car snuggly in infant carseats.  But getting those seats in and out the car without straining your back is hard. The key to doing it correctly is to keep the carseat as close to your body as long as possible, and therefore stepping into the car with one foot before you place the carseat in the base (especially if the baby is in the center seat).  Outstretched arms with a heavy carseat can reek havoc for your back, neck and shoulders.  And of course make sure the baby is securely buckled in before you move them.

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why I opened plumb line pilates & physical therapy in 2009

Seven years ago, I opened the doors to Plumb Line Pilates & Physical Therapy. Little did I know that my women’s health practice in Santa Monica, CA would be something that I cherish so dear to my heart. Today, I am so grateful to everyone that has walked through these doors and for my Pilates Instructors and therapists, who ensure that each client receives the best care at the studio. I’ve collected together a few questions I’ve received through Instagram, emails and inquiries about my work and the studio. If you are interested in coming in for Women’s Health Physical Therapy, Pilates, lymphatic massage or a combination of all, I look forward to connecting with you and being a support in your journey to more balance and good health! Xx

Why Plumb Line Pilates AND Physical Therapy? 

I wanted to create a space where I could see my patients for physical therapy and seamlessly progress them to a Pilates program if appropriate. Because Pilates is based on building a strong foundation and connection to the mind and body, I knew it would be a perfect fit for my patients. 

Do you teach just Pilates separate from Physical Therapy?

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Pilates Instructor, I utilize Pilates based exercises as part of my approach, as I believe it is the ideal adjunct to physical therapy. Therefore when I see patients there is always an underlying therapeutic angle or treatment during the Pilates portion. When my patients reach a point when we both feel they are ready to continue to further their strengthening with traditional Pilates, I transition them to one of my trained instructors. This can be while they are continuing to see me for treatment or after, it is a case by case basis. 

Do you offer Pilates classes? 

We do offer small classes, often referred to as semi privates since they are 3-4 people only. Community is important to us as Plumb Line, and these classes offer that sense of connection, as well as make it more accessible. We hope to continue to expand them as the need grows!

If I start a Pilates program, could I still see you for Physical Therapy say after my first Pilates session or vice versa? 

Absolutely! Some clients who want to start with Pilates but would like to make sure that they are cleared for this type of movement first or if they have questions/concerns regarding any previous injuries, they can have an Initial Consultation with me before or after their first Pilates session. This sometimes is a great option as it helps the Pilates Instructors at the studio ensure you get the most out of your Pilates program. But again, each case is individual, and we work together to create the best approach for you. 

How long would you expect to see patients?

As there is no one size that fits all, it really varies from patient to patient. My overall objective in my women’s health practice is to instill the education and confidence in my patients and teach them that they are their own healers. An ideal situation is they come in for a few sessions, I teach them tools in the studio and for home use, incorporate some Pilates and other healthy resources and send them on their way knowing I am always available for them. I am also launching videos this winter to make it even easier for my clients to get the tools in the convenience of their own home which I am so excited about.

inspiring women series | meredith baird of nucifera

I’m so happy to be featuring one of my favorite  ladies and the founder of one of my all time go to products – Meredith Baird. I met Meredith through a mutual friend a few years ago and was introduced to her product, Nucifera.  Nucifera has been my multi use balm for everyday use at home and is fantastic for abdominal massage pre, during and post pregnancy. It’s no wonder it is is one of our best selling products here at Plumb Line studio.  Meredith’s knowledge and passion in the health and wellness industry, has brought her to many connected avenues and besides creating a beauty product, has made a very significant impact in the culinary world. She is certified a raw food chef and instructor and is the co author of Raw Chocolate, Everyday Raw Detox and Plant Food. In 2015, Meredith launched her first solo book, Coconut Kitchen, which has become a staple in my household. While Meredith is working on creating an exceptional product sharing the insights and benefits of coconut internally and externally,  for Nucifera, food and education, she is also a mother to an adorable and very special one year old girl, Livia. An inspiring mother she is!

Meredith, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!

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AO: What’s one thing you wish you had access to before you started a family, be it in doctors, healers, community, pain management etc. 

MB: I could come up with something to say, but that would be kind of forced. I felt very lucky in having access to pretty much everything I needed in the beginning- starting with a supportive and loving husband and family. What I did have that others maybe don’t,  is a network of people who could recommend all of the above. Any question I had – I had a friend or a contact who had just recently been through a similar phase in pregnancy. I think it is so important for women to connect with each other and reach out to each other during this time. I can’t imagine having had to go through this experience in isolation. It would have made it very hard- and I know so many women do. 

AO: What are you surprised that no one ever talks about that happens to your mind or body before pregnancy or after pregnancy.

MB: “Pregnancy Brain” for me was a very real thing. It wasn’t so much a forgetfulness as it was a lack of energy for creativity. My mind just didn’t work the same at all. It still doesn’t. 

AO:  If you knew then what you know now, would you change anything?

MB: I wouldn’t- other than now knowing my daughter I think I’d have been jumping for joy the whole time! 

I consider myself to be pretty intuitive, and pregnancy really brought that out for me. I trusted in her the whole time. “We’ve got this” I would say. I think it is so important to trust your body and your baby to bring strength to you both. 

AO:  What has been the biggest surprise post pregnancy? 

MB: Being a mom just isn’t easy. Not that I ever thought it would be-  my daughter is good, I’m very fortunate in the support that I have, but even with all of that I’m more tired than I’ve ever been in my life and definitely sometimes miss having some of that alone unstructured time.

But the biggest surprise is that even if you work from home… you can’t really work from home unless you have some help. On days that I’m solo I’m good if I get one email written. It is so hit or miss with ‘productivity’. Mothering truly is all consuming.

AO:  How has your body amazed you on this journey?

MB: In every way. Pregnancy is obviously so different for everyone, but I always feared that it would just take over my body. Excess weight, bloating, stretch marks all it sort of felt inevitable. My experience was very much that my body liked being pregnant and it was all pretty much contained. Other than having no time to properly exercise postpartum and having lost some general toning – I physically feel back to normal. Plus a few grey hairs.

inspiring women series | elle rowley of solly baby

In this feature of Inspiring Mothers, I had the opportunity to interview Elle Rowley from Solly Baby Wrap.

Elle created Solly Baby Wrap because she saw that today’s baby carriers often left a mother’s body weary and wanted something that would benefit both her baby and herself when it came to daily activities. Solly Baby Wrap was then created to bring just that. It’s chic and comfortable wrap adds to this new dimension of baby wearing and is a product that I have used and highly recommend to my patients.

I was honored to sit down with Elle and Jenni Kayne earlier this afternoon for a luncheon to discuss the many benefits of baby wearing and mommy mechanics, a topic both of which I am passionate about and discuss with my patients. I hope that you’ll enjoy this edition of Inspiring Mother’s with Elle Rowley!

Thank you Elle!

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AO: What’s one thing you wish you had access to before you started a family, be it in doctors, healers, community, pain management etc. 

ER: I wish I’d had a midwife or other resource to guide me through the whole process and through the postpartum experience. There are so few resources other than Google and other moms to walk you through how to care for an infant and yourself for the first year. 

AO: What are you surprised that no one ever talks about that happens to your mind or body before pregnancy or after pregnancy.

ER: Breastfeeding and postpartum depression were so rarely talked about when I had my first, but the difficulties surrounding it seems to be much more a part of the conversation now. I actually feel like we are moving in a really positive direction in the communities I’m a part of in terms opening up the conversation surrounding pregnancy and postpartum. There’s still a lot more that needs to be explored psychologically and emotionally, but I think we are on the right path, thanks in large part to social media providing a place to share real stories. 

AO: If you knew then what you know now, would you change anything?

ER: Absolutely! I would’ve reached out more for support and guidance. I wouldn’t have felt like I needed to prove so much (in terms of how fast I “bounced back” or how I was caring for my child). I also would’ve asked more questions and, at the same time, I would’ve slowed down and tuned in to my own instincts a little more as well. 

AO:  What has been the biggest surprise post pregnancy? 

ER: How resilient and incredible my body is. It is so far from what the world views as perfect, but it has given me four of the greatest blessings of my life. I have so much gratitude for my body. I didn’t feel like that after my other babies, it was too easy to be critical, but this time I have nothing but gratitude. 

AO:  How has your body amazed you on this journey?

ER: Just the fact that it has kept up with my life as a mom of four and a business is amazing! I have been really sleep-deprived this past year, and at 11 months postpartum, I feel like I’m just coming out of the “fog”, but I was still able to do so much this past year. What a gift!

photographed by: morgan pansing