Aquagenesis: Therapeutic hydrogymnastics and wellness in and under water!

Water is the ideal environment for every human being - a link between body and soul. It enables pregnant women to move comfortably and safely in it, doing movements and exercises that would be impossible to do out of it. Due to the hydrostatic pressure and the resistance of the water, expectant mothers work their whole body feeling light and comfortable.

Therapeutic hydrogymnastics and exercise in and under water based on scientifically proven exercise methods, with the ultimate goal of combining wellness, relaxation and health. According to the expert Sophia Michalopoulou, water is a link between body and soul, connecting therapeutically the "now" with the "always" and the material with the immaterial, because water remembers and feels.

Proper breathing, strengthening, relaxation and stretching exercises, familiarisation exercises for pregnant women, as well as exercises to change the position of the baby and engage its head in the pelvis are part of hydrotherapy. The expert Sophia Michalopoulou has created a method of preparation for pregnancy and childbirth by combining various specialties with the main purpose of supporting the whole birth experience from the preparation for conception, which she considers the most important, pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the first months of the baby in its new body, in the most natural, safe and conscious way for a sweet welcome to life.

Sophia's specialisation includes three different fields: pre- and perinatal therapy in water (Integrative Aquatic Therapy) based mainly on somatic psychology, birth companion (Pregnancy and Birth Water Doula) and healing water bath (Newborn and Baby Swimming). Their integration into a single methodological framework allows her to be present in all phases of pregnancy and to support both the mother and the partner, but most importantly to convey the baby's perspective in order for the future parents to make more conscientious choices.

According to Aquagenesis' philosophy, the birth journey is an ongoing experience from the baby's perspective that will influence its whole later life as an adult. Many behavioural, attachment, movement and psychological issues stem from our experience of the first nine months of pregnancy during which we are surrounded by the amniotic fluid of the womb at body temperature. We have all been born, birth impacts all of us for the rest of our lives. It is an enjoyable and effective method of exercise during and in preparation for pregnancy that includes principles and exercises, as well as an exercise routine, tailored specifically to the demands and needs of each individual.

As a birth companion, she can support you from the very first thought that you would like to have a child or at least help you to make sure that you want one from the beginning to the end of pregnancy and childbirth in a fully personalised way tailored to your needs. Sessions can be taken in your home or online, as well as in the unique way of 'Water Wisdom' in heated water individually, with your partner or eventually with your baby.

In particular, the sessions that take place in warm water offer the following:

- A deep experience of reconnection with the authentic self

- A deep sense of relaxation and release of fear and stress

- Better contact with your body and needs

- Restoring your breathing and other body functions to normal levels

Sophia's sessions with babies and infants can take place in the bathtub of your home or in her private space. Knowing your baby's development stages, connection and safety needs, as well as your baby's most sensitive energetic interactions, she can guide you as parents to support your baby with love and care so that he or she becomes a healthy and independent person. During the summer months, classes also take place at sea either individually or in small groups of children and adults offering baby swimming lessons, emotional intelligence and personal wellness activities for both young and old.

And, of course, let's not forget swimming with a mermaid tail for the young and especially the old!

ELEANNA VASILAKI