Thursday, November 3, 2011

Dancing for Birth™ - I wish I knew about it while pregnant!

Guest Blog - Hela Donela

 
Unbooked recently added a new vendor to their pages: Aya Bellydance that offers prenatal bellydance lessons. My interest was roused and I wanted to know more. I had heard of bellydance, of course, but not of prenatal or postnatal bellydance."I wish I knew about this while pregnant", I was thinking. I simply HAD to learn more,( who knows there might be bubs #3.... )

Aya from Aya Bellydance explained to me: "Dancing for Birth™ Classes incorporate dance moves from around the world (African, Belly dance, Latin, Caribbean) that best prepare the expectant mother to give birth. 

You’ll become stronger, more agile, feel more at ease in your body and feel prepared mentally and emotionally to embrace your unique birth experience. 

During the class you will also be learning valuable childbirth preparation skills and natural pain coping techniques that will build your confidence in your own birthing ability and wisdom."

Apparently babies whose mothers take Dancing For Birth™ prenatal and postpartum dance classes love the motion of dancing and are easily soothed after birth by being held while dancing. 

Aya adds another benefit: "You will also regain your pre-pregnancy shape and tone more quickly when you continue Dancing For Birth™classes with your baby after their birth."

Doing more search on the internet, worldbellydance.com listed the following benefits of bellydance during pregnancy:

Strengthening pelvic and deep abdominal muscles and all those muscles specifically used for giving birth, thus facilitating the process of delivering and of recovery.

  • Relaxing the body. 
  • Improving self esteem.
  • Promote good posture.
  • Help maintain general fitness.
  • Help maintain a god sense of balance.
  • Relieve back ache.
  • Promote socialisation, if performed in classes.
 
Some people call it bellydance for birth, others dance of the womb, or as Aya calls it 
Dancing For Birth™
Whatever the name just watching the women dance makes you move and feel like joining in.

 

 

 

  

2 comments:

  1. I loved bellydancing through my pregnancy! It really is fun, and instead of feeling like an elephant, I felt graceful and womanly. I still had an excruciatingly painful birth, though, and, yes, the weight stayed on - and on - until I got my diet right. Maybe if I'd practised more at home?? But I certainly don't regret it, and if I had a local class at my new location, I'd definitely keep bellydancing!

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  2. Great to hear from someone who has tried this Kays, thankyou! I am sorry that it didn't help the birthing process, but outstanding to make you feel 'graceful' at a time when you can feel anything but!

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