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Fitness instructor doesn't let work stop her from being mom

BY POORNIMA JAYARAMAN, THE SOUTHERN

Saturday, May 10, 2008 10:38 PM CDT

CARBONDALE - A regular Pilates class for instructor Christina Cannova includes breathing, concentration, centering and, on occasion, a diaper change.

The 34-year-old resident of Carbondale has taught group fitness classes at Great Shapes on South Illinois Avenue for eight years. And for five of those years, she's brought each of her three daughters - 5-year-old Sophia, 3-year-old Gia and 6-month-old Nadia - to work with her almost every class.

"I've been very lucky," Cannova said. "Not every job lets you bring your kids to work."

Cannova teaches Pilates, weight training and indoor cycling for two hours a day, five days a week. Considering her youngest is usually in a bouncer seat right at her feet, sometimes the workout is more than just the class repertoire.

During a Pilates session earlier this week, Nadia sat on her mother's chest with a smile on her face. This required Cannova to execute a single, straight leg stretch while propping up the baby in her arms.

"You've got to challenge yourself," Cannova said to the nine other women in her class, mimicking her movements without the additional weight.

Nadia started to babble loudly.

"She feels our pain," a student muttered.

"Oh she's just channeling," Cannova said jokingly.

It may distract her complete focus on the class, but Cannova prefers having her kids with her at work, as family is something important to both she and her husband.

Cannova came to Carbondale from Freeport to study English and video production at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. While here, she said she fell in love with Southern Illinois native Geoffrey Maring, owner of a carpentry and landscaping business. Once the couple married, Cannova decided to call the region home.

"Growing up, I always wanted more than one sibling," said Cannova, who has an older sister. "Our neighbors had five kids and they always seemed to have so much fun. Also, my husband is one of six children. As a result, having three kids just seemed like the natural thing to do."

Outside the classes she teaches at Great Shapes, Nadia also accompanies her mother to a weight-training class through SIUC Recreational Sports and Services and a one-day-a-week job working on Web design and graphics at The Noteworthy Group. Her husband keeps the two older children whenever possible.

"Since both our schedules are flexible, it works out well for us," Cannova said. "Geoff is a great dad and we share an equal responsibility in bringing up our girls."

Serious about spending as much quality time as possible with her children and exposing them to a world of learning that doesn't just prep them for test taking, the parents also do home schooling.

"We did a lava lamp science experiment yesterday and that was a lot of fun," Cannova said. "Sophia and Gia love making all kinds of magic potions in my kitchen. They go to the Dayemi Homeschool Cooperative three days a week."

There's a certain rhythm Cannova has acquired managing both a fitness class and a baby simultaneously.

Midway through a cycling class, Nadia needs more attention. Cannova rocks her baby in her arms and even nurses her without missing a beat of instruction for the group.

The relationship is impressive to some of Cannova's students.

"Watching the mother-baby interaction and listening to the baby babble is a welcome diversion from the drudgery of exercise," student Dorcy Prosser said. "Nadia's presence provides us with enjoyment and motivation as we exercise."

Great Shapes owner and fitness professional Catherine Turner said she's asked her clients if it's all right to let Cannova bring her kids to class.

"They've always said yes," she said. "They just love her. In fact, when her baby will go to the nursery in some months, people will say they miss her. Mark my words."

For Cannova, being a mother is the most rewarding journey she's ever taken.

"It's not always rosy, of course," she admitted. "My house is always a mess! You have your good and bad days. But Geoff and I really do enjoy our babies. And that's why we haven't ruled out another baby as yet."

poornima.jayaraman@thesouthern.com / 351-5019