All teacher training is under the direction of Ann Cowlin, DTP’s founder with more than 30 years experience as a pre/postnatal fitness instructor, trainer, researcher and international presenter in the field. She is the author of “Women and Exercise” in Varney’s Midwifery, the major nursing textbook for midwives, as well as her own textbook, Women’s Fitness Program Development. Cowlin is assisted by several DTP master teachers who have been with the program for ten or twenty years.

Instructors learn why and how to incorporate effective mind/body skills such as breathing and relaxation, along with strength and flexibility exercises into a total fitness package. Aerobics is definitely the biggest bang for the buck. Cardiovascular fitness is the key to almost every benefit of pre/postnatal exercise that has been found through well-designed research. Instructors develop their own individual style of aerobic dance or fitness activities as part of our training program, but follow best practice guidelines. As the contemporary world puts more and more demands on our time, getting the most from your pre/postnatal program is a smart approach.

Practicums focus on teaching these skills for necessary and essential components of exercise that have been shown to have a beneficial impact on pregnancy, birth and recovery. In the photo above, for example, trainees are learning how to teach intercostal breathing in conjunction with diaphramatic breathing, an essential skill in pregnancy to increase oxygen consumption during exercise. Other skills taught include essential strength training exercises, leading effective relaxation sessions, analyzing music for aerobic choreography, and effort/shape analysis to prevent injury.

Prior to attending a practicum, teachers must first pass the Basic study course exam. Potential teachers are given 6 weeks to take the study course and exam. Those interested in becoming pre/postnatal fitness teachers need to register for their course around 2 months prior to their preferred practicum. Click on this link practicums for upcoming dates and locations.