excellent form of functional exercise training of
the core muscles. Layering movements of the
veil while walking and performing hip isolations
exercises the brain which enhances learning,
concentration, focusing, memory, coordination,
and attention.
Arm and hand movements such as in snake arms
help to improve flexibility and prevent symptoms
of overuse in the wrist and hands such as in car-
pal tunnel syndrome.
Recommended Belly Dance based move-
ments During Labor and their benefits:
Women that belly dance during pregnancy feel
empowered and relaxed during labor because
they have learned to move in ways that connect
them to their innate birthing and relaxing ability.
Women learn how to assist their bodies to birth
naturally and also to naturally release tension
and surrender into the moment if they begin to
feel tense, anxious, or fatigued during labor.
Mindfulness is the practice of non-judgement-
al moment to moment awareness. This is the
optimal state of being to birth in because it re-
duces stress, anxiety, and enhances our mood.
Repetitive and rhythmical pelvic and abdominal
movements done mindfully induce a hypnotic
mental state that calms the nervous system,
mind, and body. Abdominal movements are self
induced massage for the pregnant and laboring
body and baby, and therefore they contribute to
overall pain reduction and relaxation specifically
to the muscles that commonly become tense
such as the low back, pelvic, and hip muscles.
Hip circles, crescents, and figure eights done
while standing and walking combined with grav-
ity mobilize the pelvic joints, facilitate widening
of the pelvic joints, and assisting baby to slide
down the birth canal.
Hip shimmies: Cathy Moore, Nurse Midwife and
Belly Dancer, says she frequently observes that
the body naturally trembles spontaneously dur-
ing transition. She also notes she has observed
women during labor move their hips and pelvis
in circular ways instinctively as a way to dissi-
pate pain. Women can also vibrate their bodies
“slow dancing” with a partner or leaning forward
while holding on to a wall or chair. Women are
encouraged to create sounds for a sustained
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