are working with 1 being no exertion at all (just search with belly dance and yoga based move-
sitting there) to 10 being maximal exertion (100 ments. This article will introduce the reader to
percent adrenaline). It is always recommended Belly dance based movements from a Nurturing
to consult with your physician regarding how Moves perspective during pregnancy and labor,
much and what types of exercise are indicated it’s benefits, contraindications, and recommend-
for your pregnancy. Women are advised to only ed movements during pregnancy and labor.
perform movements within a comfortable range
as the concept of “no pain, no gain” does not Basic Movement Principles and their ben-
apply during pregnancy. efits:
Jogging, walking, swimming, yoga, Pilates, The Nurturing Moves approach begins with
weight training, low impact aerobics and dance teaching women how to breathe the way nature
are safe and recommended forms of exercise intended, with their diaphragm muscle. Women
during pregnancy. Belly dance is a very old and learn to dance after learning how to correctly
traditional folk form of dance with unique ben- use their diaphragm as this greatly influences
efits for pregnant and laboring women. Unique their mental, emotional, and physical state. A
to Belly dance, is it’s gentle and rhythmical arm, diaphragmatic breathing pattern stimulates an
shoulder, pelvic, hip, and abdominal move- increase in parasympathetic nervous system
ments that strengthen, tone, and relax the same tone or relaxation response throughout the
postural and respiratory muscles that aid in fa- whole body. This state of being is one charac-
cilitating the natural process of labor and child- terized by a state of restful alertness in which
birth. Belly Dance is the only form of exercise we shift to an Alpha brain wave pattern. When
that connects women to their Divine Center, we activate the relaxation response, blood di-
with isolated and coordinated movements of the verts to the center of the body, enhancing the
body center. In Yoga philosophy, the chakras reproductive and digestive functions of the body
are energetic points in the body where we have (like growing our baby and birthing). Blood
concentrated levels of energy that impact our pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate lowers
physical, emotional and energetic being. Belly and we become more aware of our selves and
Dance movements inherently harmonize and our connection to our baby. This same mental
balance the chakras that correlate with inner state is achieved during hynosis, Transcenden-
power, sensuality, sexuality, creativity, self-ac- tal or Mindfulness meditation, as thus share the
ceptance, feeling safe and grounded. Accord- same benefits. Nurturing Moves are performed
ing to Maha Al Musa, “when we dance in preg- in this mental and physical state. We are most
nancy, we internalize movements and emotions creative and able to focus and concentrate to
to connect to our instinctual nature as women. achieve peak performance (such as birthing)
When we prepare ourselves emotionally, physi- when we are in the alpha brain wave state. This
ologically, and mentally in giving birth, our body is an ideal state for functioning in daily life when
welcomes it more freely and birthing becomes a we are awake.
real celebration right from the very beginning.”
Morocco, a middle-eastern dance historian and Unique benefits of Belly Dance as a form of
internationally renowned dancer points out that prenatal exercise
Belly Dance originated thousands of years ago
as a folk dance for men and women. Two belly Through Belly dance, women become more
dance based movements are theorized to have aware of their pelvis, baby, and their growing
originated to help prepare a woman’s body for body parts in a joyful and celebratory atmo-
childbirth and in facilitating an easier labor and sphere. Women experience a sense of inner
delivery. beauty and pleasure from moving their wombs
in beautiful ways. The relaxing movements of
Nurturing Moves, created by Michelle Maniaci, the pelvis causes changes in a woman’s brain
is a form of pregnancy and postnatal exercise, chemistry. A increased release of healthy neu-
childbirth preparation, and laboring tool that ro-chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine,
fuses scientific movement principles, current and serotonin occurs during belly dance. These
evidenced based medicine and exercise re- same neuro-chemicals are found to be low in
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