Dancing For Birth-A Review

My son is 15 months old now so I don't have that much time for exercising these days but when I was pregnant with him I looked forward to my daily routine of prenatal belly-dancing.  Sure, I went for walks, did prenatal yoga and all of that fun stuff but I really enjoyed my time belly-dancing for many reasons.  It felt good! It helped bring awareness and movement to my pelvis and hips (an area that would and did experience many changes). It was sensual-it reminded me that no matter what was happening to and in my body I was a beautiful and sensual woman! And I firmly believe that the exercises I performed played a huge role in my amazing birth! Unfortunately these dance sessions were limited to my living room because I could not find a dance or yoga studio that offered prenatal belly-dance-I purchased any and all dvds I could find-sadly there weren't that many. 

This past weekend at a doula conference I had the fortunate experience of meeting an incredible woman who just happened to be a doula, childbirth educator, and dance instructor.  She has created not only a prenatal dance DVD but has also has begun an instructor certification program as well.  Her program is entitled "Dancing For Birth" and the DVD is "Dancing For Birth-Prenatal Dance & Birth Wisdom."  I probably don't have to mention how thrilled I was to have found her. Many of the DVDs I used during my pregnancy were created by dance instructors who I am sure have many years of dance experience under their belts but this was the first time I came across a program created by someone who works with and knows pregnant women! 

The program was created by Stephanie Larsen and incorporates different dance styles-mainly utilizing the movements inspired by Belly-dance, African dance, and Latin dance-I know-could you imagine more fun?  The exercise program helps build strength, stamina, flexibility and she even includes movements that a woman can use in birth to help enhance her experience.  After the baby is born the program is designed in such a way that you can just wrap baby up in your favorite sling and use the dvd as a postpartum exercise routine! Stephanie includes a portion on relaxation and breathing exercises and of course a cool down. The moves are simple yet powerful and easy to learn-she even incorporates the exercise or birth ball.

What is even more exciting for me and I am sure for many other doulas and educators out there is her teacher certification program.  Though I enjoyed my dvds immensely I would have loved to compliment my living room dance time with a group session. I cannot wait to take her Instructor Training Workshop so I can start teaching women in my community and we can do it together.  In the certification program you will learn how to teach women relaxation techniques, exercises that target a woman's abs, pelvic floor muscles and you will even learn a "baby welcoming dance!"  Some of the moves include "down baby down," "abundant belly," (my favorite) "dilation gyration" and "powerful woman." 

Dancing For Birth will assist many pregnant women on their journey to a healthy, gentle, and peaceful birth.  Thank you Stephanie Larson-you are an inspiration!

For more information please visit the Dancing For Birth website at:

www.dancingforbirth.com