The health of their unborn child is of paramount importance to prospective parents. However, many of us are unaware of the invisible threat from electromagnetic radiation. Protecting your baby from any possible harm is a strong and natural instinct. Every stage of your baby’s development will be affected by the choices you make and the environments in which you live. And those choices you make are at the same time becoming more difficult and more important. The Baby Safe booklet explains how to safeguard your unborn child and your whole family.
To download your copy of this free booklet please go to: www.mama2b.com
Professional advice and courses for prospective parents wishing to pursue natural and pain free options for pregnancy and childbirth with Hypnobirthing, hypnotherapy and antenatal education.
Wednesday 18 June 2014
Tuesday 3 June 2014
Where has the year gone? We are now in flaming June and looking forward with optimism to a beautiful summer! Meantime, I wanted to share my blog about belly dancing during pregnancy and how it helps you prepare for labour and childbirth, make new friends and stay fit! Enjoy.
The idea of belly dancing during pregnancy to aid natural childbirth is becoming very popular. Belly dancing has its origins in ancient times from the Middle East, and has spread throughout South East Asia, India, Greece, and has eventually reached the Western world. In the 21st century belly dancing has once again become a popular way to exercise safely during pregnancy.
Similar to yoga, and other forms of exercise, which facilitate the mind, body and spirit connection, belly dancing improves body awareness and encourages a woman to connect deeply with her changing body and her unborn baby. Finally, belly dancing is great fun, makes you feel good, enables you to meet like-minded women and make new friends.
In ancient times dance was an integral part of daily rituals including childbirth. A dance by women for women, belly dancing in its most potent form is a safe and effective dance expression that supports women throughout pregnancy, and helps them to prepare for natural conscious childbirth.
One of the main goals of belly dancing is to allow the woman to work with nature, by moving with and not against the rhythmic surges (contractions), which facilitate childbirth. The primal movements support and nurture a woman’s subconscious instincts and ability to give birth naturally.
Maha Al Musa author of “Dance of the Womb” says that “During labour your womb will open up completely, and you will experience a change in your normal consciousness…this great opening of the womb happens only once or a few times in your life. It is a very deep emotional experience which involves a regression to your most basic and primitive feelings.”
Belly dance is a celebration of the strength and beauty of women, and is a natural way for women to connect with their feminine side, their fertility, sensuality and creative powers of pregnancy and birthing.
The benefits of belly dancing during pregnancy are many fold:
• Increases muscle tone, flexibility and circulation
• Hip movements help to optimize fetal positioning for labour, avoiding a posterior position
• Helps to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
• May reduce tension and anxiety if present
• Helps to improve posture and reduce lower back ache
• Stimulates a deep connection with your amazing body, and your baby
• Enhances self esteem and improves body image
• Focusing on and connecting with your primal brain and the birthing knowledge which lies within
During birthing women need strong, flexible muscles to support and facilitate the progress of childbirth. Belly dancing helps exercise, and strengthen all the muscle groups to enhance optimal fetal positioning, and pelvic girdle movement to aid an easy, natural birth. Good posture and strong thigh muscles enable women to adopt more upright positions without difficulty during their labour and birthing.
As with any exercise program if you have any medical complications or injuries it is advisable to see your doctor before commencing a new form of exercise. Specific guidelines during pregnancy include:
• Good hydration during and after exercise
• Avoid overheating, by exercising in light, loose clothing in a cool, well ventilated room
• Do warm up exercises before any routine
• Do not exercise if you feel unwell or have a fever
• In the second trimester avoid exercises which involve lying flat on your back
If you are new to belly dancing it makes sense to join a class and learn the moves from a teacher of belly dancing specifically for pregnancy. Not only will you learn about the history, moves and sequences for belly dancing, but you will also meet like-minded women.
The amazing Maha Al Musa has written a beautiful book ‘Dance of the Womb’ and is a living testimony to the benefits of belly dancing during childbirth. She has kindly given her permission for me to include her words of wisdom on belly dancing in my book.
See you again soon. If you have any thoughts on topics you would like to see covered in my blog, don't hesitate to get in touch. Amanda
The idea of belly dancing during pregnancy to aid natural childbirth is becoming very popular. Belly dancing has its origins in ancient times from the Middle East, and has spread throughout South East Asia, India, Greece, and has eventually reached the Western world. In the 21st century belly dancing has once again become a popular way to exercise safely during pregnancy.
Similar to yoga, and other forms of exercise, which facilitate the mind, body and spirit connection, belly dancing improves body awareness and encourages a woman to connect deeply with her changing body and her unborn baby. Finally, belly dancing is great fun, makes you feel good, enables you to meet like-minded women and make new friends.
In ancient times dance was an integral part of daily rituals including childbirth. A dance by women for women, belly dancing in its most potent form is a safe and effective dance expression that supports women throughout pregnancy, and helps them to prepare for natural conscious childbirth.
One of the main goals of belly dancing is to allow the woman to work with nature, by moving with and not against the rhythmic surges (contractions), which facilitate childbirth. The primal movements support and nurture a woman’s subconscious instincts and ability to give birth naturally.
Maha Al Musa author of “Dance of the Womb” says that “During labour your womb will open up completely, and you will experience a change in your normal consciousness…this great opening of the womb happens only once or a few times in your life. It is a very deep emotional experience which involves a regression to your most basic and primitive feelings.”
Belly dance is a celebration of the strength and beauty of women, and is a natural way for women to connect with their feminine side, their fertility, sensuality and creative powers of pregnancy and birthing.
The benefits of belly dancing during pregnancy are many fold:
• Increases muscle tone, flexibility and circulation
• Hip movements help to optimize fetal positioning for labour, avoiding a posterior position
• Helps to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
• May reduce tension and anxiety if present
• Helps to improve posture and reduce lower back ache
• Stimulates a deep connection with your amazing body, and your baby
• Enhances self esteem and improves body image
• Focusing on and connecting with your primal brain and the birthing knowledge which lies within
During birthing women need strong, flexible muscles to support and facilitate the progress of childbirth. Belly dancing helps exercise, and strengthen all the muscle groups to enhance optimal fetal positioning, and pelvic girdle movement to aid an easy, natural birth. Good posture and strong thigh muscles enable women to adopt more upright positions without difficulty during their labour and birthing.
As with any exercise program if you have any medical complications or injuries it is advisable to see your doctor before commencing a new form of exercise. Specific guidelines during pregnancy include:
• Good hydration during and after exercise
• Avoid overheating, by exercising in light, loose clothing in a cool, well ventilated room
• Do warm up exercises before any routine
• Do not exercise if you feel unwell or have a fever
• In the second trimester avoid exercises which involve lying flat on your back
If you are new to belly dancing it makes sense to join a class and learn the moves from a teacher of belly dancing specifically for pregnancy. Not only will you learn about the history, moves and sequences for belly dancing, but you will also meet like-minded women.
The amazing Maha Al Musa has written a beautiful book ‘Dance of the Womb’ and is a living testimony to the benefits of belly dancing during childbirth. She has kindly given her permission for me to include her words of wisdom on belly dancing in my book.
See you again soon. If you have any thoughts on topics you would like to see covered in my blog, don't hesitate to get in touch. Amanda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)