Belly Dance During Pregnancy

I am so excited about the power of belly dance during pregnancy to empower women in pregnancy and birth!

Belly dance during pregnancy helps women to get in touch with the center of their power by rediscovering the core muscles-- the belly, the hips, the breasts. It is intuitive movement--unlike some other dance forms that can seem to be pasted on--belly dance undulates from our innate sensuality as women.

To learn more about belly dance for pregnancy and birth see the wonderful book Dance of the Womb by Maha Al Musa. This book is truly a gem. In addition to belly dance instruction it details Maha's personal story and her journey to motherhood. It is empowering and inspiring. You can read my review of Dance of the Womb here.

If you want to learn belly dance along with Maha, check out her instructional DVD. It also includes footage of her own home waterbirth. See my review of the DVD here.

I have been belly dancing off and on for about 4 years now. It has opened to me a totally different world of dance from the structured ballet and modern techniques that I had been doing for years. I thought,"Wow, a dance that finally fits my body!"

During my pregnancy I found that it was one of the few forms of exercise that I could still do without undue discomfort. My big pregnant belly seemed to enhance the round, snaky, and undulating movements of belly dance. Belly dancing during pregnancy helped me get in touch with my curves.

Belly dance is the birth dance. It prepares pregnant women for birth. It is known as the most ancient form of dance, from a time when women, fertility, sexuality, and birth were revered.

The hip circles and figure eights of belly dance help the baby to get in the best position for birth--head down facing your back with their chin tucked. The chest circles, belly rolls, and hip shimmies allow the parts of your body that are most actively involved in birth to relax and let go.

Belly dance during pregnancy encourages active birth. It helps you connect to your essence. It prepares the body for labor. It gets you into the flow and rhythm of birth.

Belly dance brings focus and awareness to the pelvis, hips, pelvic floor, breasts, and belly all areas that need awareness in order to birth and nurture a baby. It develops strength, stamina, flexibility, and gives you a light cardiovascular workout.

You will develop confidence, pride, and mastery of your body. Dancing gets you out of your head and into your physicality/sensuality.

It connects you with your baby.

When I danced during pregnancy I had a very real sense of dancing with my baby. I would often rub my belly while I danced and sing or talk to the baby. Here's a little song I sang while doing hip circles to encourage my babe to be in the optimal birthing position:

"Circle around

circle around--

bring the baby down"

I also did what I call "belly dancing on the ball". I would perform figure eights, hip circles, and pelvic rocks on a large exercise ball.

Tips for Belly Dance During Pregnancy

Keep your hips tucked under and your knees slightly bent when dancing. Avoid doing anything extremely quickly--slow down the faster and sharper belly dance movements. Avoid overarching your back . Listen to your body. If it hurts than stop.

Belly dance barefoot. Wear a scarf or coin skirt around your hips or even roll your pants down several times to give emphasis to the hips. It helps you to pick up the movements more quickly. Other than that--wear whatever makes you feel beautiful!

So grab a hip scarf, put on some music, and start swiveling those hips!

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