Dance Your Way to Birth
Prenatal dance was practiced thousands of years ago in the middle east. Originally called the womb dance, the mother of what we call belly dance today, these were movements women performed with and for each other. They toned the birthing muscles, kept a woman’s body supple and strong and prepared her for the journey of creation and birth. Not only do these ancient movements soothe pain, cramps and tension, they also release those feel-good endorphins that give you that effortless “glow,” they increase body and breath awareness and are a beautiful way to connect with your baby during your pregnancy, giving you the “birth muscle” for delivery.
I know this because I have danced my way through two pregnancies. My experiences were organic and enlightening, and my body bounced back beautifully. I fell so in love with this process that I created Maternal Dance™ and became a Certified Perinatal Fitness Expert soon after. I set about creating a process that every woman could use to tune in and really listen to the rhythms of her body; an experience that was relaxed, empowering and fun.
Maternal Dance™ combines delicious stretching, core and pelvic floor strengthening, belly and Latin dance moves, and guided imagery for one hour of maternal mojo. As you move through this process your body will become stronger, even as your belly is growing. Your hips will open, back pain will virtually disappear and you will really understand what it means to listen to your body and your breath in a whole new way.
My students tell me that as they dance their way through each stage of their pregnancy, embracing their changing curves, they feel stronger, more confident, more beautiful and, dare I say sexier, than they ever have before!
*No dance experience is necessary; includes modifications for all stages of pregnancy; appropriate for all fitness levels. Follows the prenatal exercise guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and includes low-impact dance and exercise specifically designed for pregnant women.
Can’t make it to class? Dance in the privacy of your own home on your own time with The Prenatal Belly Dance Workout DVD, or Download a workout to suit your fitness level and trimester.
***For private sessions call 917.907.2025 or click here.
KEY Benefits
- Experience the joy of dance, the benefits of exercise, designed specifically for pregnancy.
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Prepare your body and build endurance for labor.
- Eliminate pregnancy discomforts such as back pain and leg cramps.
- Practice core and pelvic floor strengthening and flexibility work appropriate for pregnancy.
- Set yourself up to bounce back to your pre-baby body – or better!
FAQs
Maternal Dance is a prenatal dance program to enjoy free-flowing exercise and creative movement to celebrate your pregnancy and safely prepare, mentally and physically, for labor and delivery in a supportive setting.
You will experience organic and natural flowing movement that prepares your body for labor, learning flexibility and core-strengthening exercises appropriate for pregnancy, while literally moving pregnancy discomforts to ease back pain, leg cramps and sciatica. In addition, stress levels decrease and you will feel more comfortable and confident in your changing body to enjoy your pregnancy.
Maternal Dance is not only a fun way to prepare for labor as you increase body-awareness, maintain flexibility and build strength and endurance for delivery, your experience in class will leave you feeling invigorated and empowered to go through labor with a veteran teacher who is thorough and intuitive.
Any form of prenatal exercise should not be about getting in shape. The aim is to get in shape for labor. There are modifications for each trimester and class size is limited to get personalized attention. As long as you feel good and have doctor/midwife approval, you can start at any stage of pregnancy.
Maternal Dancers often come back to after birth to share how attending class helped them have “the birth of their dreams,” and that Maternal Dance prepared them to enjoy their babies in the early “daze” of motherhood. Witnessing the mamas faces and energy levels as they leave class is probably the most confirming and joyful to witness.
No dance experience is necessary, and what’s old is new again. Just as we have rediscovered the importance of the role of a doula, prenatal dance was the original form of exercise to help a woman birth her baby and celebrate the life growing inside of her. Non-dancers will learn the natural movements that benefit the rhythm of the birthing process, and just like any dance technique, dancers discover a dance form that is designed specifically for their pregnant body to prepare for labor and delivery – everyone benefits!
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