When I teach exercises during the Healthy Mother Lamaze classes, one of the first things I ask couples to do is to move their bodies freely and to do their version of the belly dance! Belly dance has its origins in African birth rituals, and many of the expectant parents in my class are surprised to find that they came to Lamaze class to dance?!? Do I teach other prenatal exercises .. of course I do. But, I also tell mothers-to-be (and their partners) that the more comfortable they get with their bodies in the prenatal period, birth becomes that much more easier – because birth is the expression of the physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional and sensual. And what better than dance to discover many of these facets?
I came across this beautiful piece written by Pam England, whose “Birthing from Within” is one of my favorite inspirations. Enjoy … and dance your way to birth!