Kangatraining has arrived in Italy! Aerobics for new mothers to train with their babies

What is Kangatraining that is all the rage in Austria and Germany? Mariella countryleader kangatraining in Italy explains it to us and tells us her story.

My story

My name is Mariella, I’m Italian and I live in Switzerland. 31 years old, a degree in international tourism, mother of little Leonardo (famous for his skills as an interior designer) and wife of a splendid husband, Antonio, my greatest supporter.

After Leonardo’s birth, which took place in December 2015, I felt the need to pursue an opportunity of mine, or rather ours, which would allow me to take him with me on the adventures I was on.

When you’re abroad for work and you don’t have a family you can count on closely, you have to create opportunities that allow you to better enjoy this wonderful life experience, motherhood.

Given the great passion for dance and sport, and a past as a dancer, I decided to take a flight to Vienna and follow the training of kangatraining instructor .

Today I have been working in Lugano for two years, I enjoy it and I am happy. But that wasn’t enough.

I felt the need to be able to import this splendid successful formula into Italy .

In June 2017 I became Italian countryleader kangatraining. It was not easy to study and work with a partner of a few months but together with other sector specialists we managed to put together a team that could train kangatrainers throughout the territory.

We receive requests from every part of Italy, from every region and we are sure it will be a success for those women who want to get involved and get involved.

1. What is Kangatraining and where does this form of post-natal fitness come from?

Kangatraining is an innovative aerobics developed for new mothers who wish to train together with their babies thanks to ergonomic supports.

It was born in Vienna in 2008 thanks to the genius of a personal trainer and dancer named Nicole Pascher who, after 25 years of experience in the dance sector and having obtained certification in pre and post-partum workouts, decided to found what is now the most practiced sport from mothers all over the world.

The success is also due to the collaboration with midwives, physiotherapists and gynecologists.

2. What are the benefits of practicing this activity, both for the mother and for the newborn?

The benefits are multiple:

• the mother has the possibility of getting back in shape without having to worry about who to leave the baby with, training those musculoskeletal structures put under stress by pregnancy and childbirth, rediscovering her own psycho-physical well-being and at the same time socializing with the other kangamamme ( often moments of confrontation and comfort arise during the lessons)
• the baby, for his part, receives stimuli for his psycho-motor development and relaxes during the sessions to the point of sleeping for the entire duration of the session.

3. How is a course structured?

The course is structured in alternating aerobic phases – with choreography and movements aimed at training the cardio-circulatory system, and anaerobic phases of  muscle toning  with exercises aimed at recovering the weakened pelvic floor, abdominal fascia and all other related muscles.

There is an initial warm-up moment and a final stretching moment to cool down and relax the muscle groups involved in the workout.

During the session, the instructor also provides theoretical content for postural improvement and not overloading the spine.

The use of ergonomic supports certainly helps in the correct discharge of the child’s weight.

4. Can dads also participate?

Dads are welcome to all classes. However, they are valued during the so-called kangafamily , lessons dedicated to the whole family: in those cases the father usually puts the little one on board and the mother trains without ever losing sight of her puppy.

Another discipline still practiced only in Austria and Germany is the “papakanga”: it is an intense training designed specifically for dads who wish to enjoy their little one during their physical effort.

In the contemporary era it must be admitted that more and more dads are approaching these activities.

5. How long after childbirth (natural or CT) can I start? Is there a maximum age of the child?

Kanga can be practiced starting from the sixth/eighth week in the case of a natural birth and from the tenth/twelfth week in the home of a TC after having consulted the gynecologist at the first postpartum visit.

Each exercise is studied in respect of the condition of the mother.

6. Are there any contraindications?

The contraindications are that the baby falls asleep and therefore you can concentrate on training without any distractions!

7. What supports do you recommend for mums or dads to use?

Each kangatrainer works in synergy with a consultant to bring this to the area by recommending the most ideal support for the mother-baby dyad.

In any case, we work with ergonomic supports that respect the rules of healthy and safe wearing without following commercial fashions.

However, each instructor has a small library to be able to provide, free of charge, the most suitable support for Kangamamma and the child; it is good to remember that the loans are made for the entire course of Kanga.

8. Where can courses be attended?

Kangatraining courses are active in more than 25 countries internationally.

At the moment, the active courses in Italy are present in Rome, Frosinone, Varese, Somma Lombardo, Como, Bulgaro Grasso, San Fermo della Battaglia and Sesto Calende.

We are working to spread this formula throughout the boot.

9. Do you also organize courses to train instructors? How do they work and when will they be next?

Since 2017 I have become an Italian country leader. Together with a team specialized in the postpartum sector, it was decided to import training into Italy also to remedy the language problem.

The courses do not require prerequisites and are aimed at women who wish to pursue a business career with their baby or at professionals in the sector who wish to expand their offer in the field of mothering.

However, they form an important basis notions of fitness and babywearing.

The location of the Kangatraining Italia courses is located in San Fermo della Battaglia but we are working towards the opening of further locations such as Central and Southern Italy.

The next training course will be held in March 2018 from 16 to 20 exactly .

One of the characteristics of the training is that the student-mothers can bring their own baby with them, solving logistical problems.

The training is made up of various steps: it starts from a basic course during which topics and contents on the aspects of pregnancy and post-pregnancy are addressed, contents on basic fitness, safe and healthy babywearing are dealt with and we are confronted with a marketing expert to identify the best strategies.

In any case, just visit the website www.kangatraining-italia.com to stay updated or the facebook page kangatraining italia .