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Belly Dancing for the Pregnant Moms
Preggy Bellies
Belly dancing is more than just entertainment! It has a much higher purpose.
British Anthropologist Sheila Kitzinger, author of numerous books on pregnancy
and dancing. Belly Dancing originated as a ritual of childbirth as well as seduction.
The Bedouins girls are taught a pelvic dance during puberty to celebrate their budding sexuality and physical marathon of childbirth.
These days, alternative techniques to ease the effects of pregnancy, labour and child birth are many from Water Births, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Hypnotherapy, and Massage. Now, one can use belly dancing, antenatal, during labour, and postnatal.
I have been passionate about the dance for many years, and have seen how belly dancing, pregnancy and childbirth are in harmony. Being a practicing Doula for the past five years I have been at many births and been witness to see how belly dance movements mirror those of labour and how very connected belly dancing is to child birth. Anyone who has witnessed a birth knows that it is one of the most incredible displays of female power that you will ever see. The forces at work are nothing more than awesome. The movements used in belly dance actually mimic many of the physical and emotional manifestations of labour in a woman's body.
Childbirth must be prepared for! Who would think of sending a man who has a sedentary job to run comrades? Why then does our society expect a woman, who has never used her pelvic floor muscles much to give birth easily, a feat more difficult than running Comrades. Strengthening the muscles is very important!
Women in all stages of pregnancy can use the exotic tools of belly dancing to prepare themselves - in mind, body and spirit for childbirth.
Pregnancy is a wonderful time of new feelings, new sensations and new experiences belly dancing will intensify these feelings.
For more info on Belly Dancing please visit the following site: www.bellydancesa.co.za
BENEFITS OF BELLY DANCING DURING PREGNANCY
- Belly dance benefits the muscles of the feet, legs, pelvic floor, belly, back and shoulders.
- The abdominal movements strengthen the muscles necessary for childbirth.
- Undulations are in essence very similar to pelvic rocking and deep breathing used by French Obstetrician Fernand Lamaze whose breathing technique has been taught around the world.
- Women who are wanting natural births without any interventions like anaesthesia. Belly dance can help alleviate the pain, as the movement themselves acts as an anaesthetic.
- The basic posture in belly dance helps the pregnant women with back pain.
- Research that has been done shows that doctors are supportive of the ancient techniques, which require muscle isolations.
- The baby is calmed by rocking, circular movements.
- Indigestion can be eliminated.
- Posture is subject to psycho-emotional influence. Dance trains the body to recognize tension and relaxation and this body awareness gives a certain amount of autonomy and control.
- From a medical point of view, it is an additional method of birth preparation, providing the pregnancy is normal and the midwife/doctor approves.
- Balance and energy increases.
- The natural birth position is vertical. Through belly dance the pregnant woman develops the necessary ability and strength of the pelvis, greater flexibility of the lumbar region and an awareness of the muscles involved in birth. This gives her confidence in herself and in her body.
- To release tension (through shoulder movements) that result from weight of growing breasts and to get extra space (through chest movements) if the baby is in a high position.
- Chest movements are also good for heartburn.
- Strengthening the muscles helps in carrying the child through pregnancy and childbirth and to regain shape and muscle tone after birth, this is very important for self image.
- Strengthening the muscles also helps in reducing stretch marks.
- Belly dancing is great for health, fitness and getting in touch with your body.
- Women acquire confidence in themselves and their bodies.
- The dance and the music has an uplifting effect on the mom, this is beneficial for her and her unborn baby.
- Psychological benefits are becoming aware of your feminine potential and celebrating womanhood during this powerful creative time of one's life.
Women who are having a normal, healthy pregnancy should be perfectly capable of dancing throughout her pregnancy. Always check with your doctor to be sure that as long as your doctor says it's safe for you to get low-impact, moderate exercise like yoga or antenatal exercise classes, belly dancing should be fine.
PREGGY BELLY TEACHER - HENNY SHEAHAN
I have been dancing for many years in South Africa and have been to Egypt 3 times where I attended workshops with the following Teachers:
Liza El Laziza in Cairo
Aida Nour in Cairo
Samasen in Cairo
Diyana in Cairo
Medhat in Cairo
Mahmoud Reda
In South Africa I have done workshops with:
Belyssa from Australia
Debi from South Africa
I have been a Doula for the past 5 years attending to many births. I am also a Reflexologist, Aromatherapist and Massage Therapist, specializing in problems with conception antenatal, labour birth and post natal. Have done a Hypno Birthing course, the Morgan Method for labour and birth. I work with Midwifes and Gynecologists who refer patients to me for treatments.
My main focus is to empower women on all levels, emotionally, physically and spiritually in all walks of life. My dream is that every woman, everywhere, should know the joy of a comfortable supported birth for her and her baby.
BELLY CLASS INFORMATION
Class Times
1 hour classes on Saturday morning from 12h00 - 13h00
1st class is starting on the 2nd February 2008
Belly Class Fees for 2008
R250 per month payable on the 1st of each month.
Classes
The class will run for one hour, starting with warming up exercises to ensure that muscles are ready to work to prevent injury. Teaching a step-by-step breakdown of the moves, and learning to follow the rhythm of the music. Classes will always end with relaxation/meditation.
What to wear to Belly Class
Wear comfortable clothing to class that allows you to move freely.
You can wear a hip scarf which you can buy from the studio or use a scarf that you already have. You can dance barefoot or use soft-soled dance shoes.
Address
Body Mind Studio, 1st floor, c/o Smit street/ 5th street, Fairlands
For further information please contact Henny on:
Cell - 082 855 1767
Work - 011 673 2466
E-mail - hennysheahan@mweb.co.za
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