Thread: Pregnant & Teaching

Hi,

i am four months pregnant and teaching two classes a week; one beginners and one improver. I was wondering if anyone else had taught whilst pregnant and if anyone had any tips to share with me. I am starting to wonder how i will demonstrate a camel to my beginners as my bump gets bigger, how to keep my energy up, etc. Any advice or tips will be much appreciated. ..g.:

Congratulations Chloe!

No idea about bellydancing and pregnancy just wanted to say I was at your class last week and you were doing a perfect job!!!!! xxxxx

Yes in a word - and still am - just 5 weeks to go! I've recently written an article on it - What it Takes - secret for me is carbs and lots of water/diluted squash. You can email me for more specific info - just dont PM me here as I can't reply to them!

Emma

I danced and taught up to my 7th month. I would not worry about displaying the movements too much since your body does become more flexible when you are pregnant. There are things that you will need to explain to students. For example, you may need to do a wider stance for comfort when doing moves. Also - you can always pull up a student and have them demonstrate the move.

I did a lot of talking towards the end. Using verbal explanations rather than demo'ing with my body. I was laso honest with the students and would sometimes sit down while they would drill.

Everyone understands - listen to your body.

This will help you so much after the baby too. You will understand how to teach a pregnant mommie - the correct way - based on your experience.

Here's an article written by a friend of mine who taught during her pregnancy. Includes a very cute (and very pregnant) photo: Happy Hips Belly Dance: bellydance classes and info - fitness - weight loss - fun

I taught through my 7th month- planned to stop in the 7th month and did, but I had students asking me to stay on longer. I had 2 excellent subs in place to take my classes (2 studios) from my 7th month until about 8-10 weeks postpartum, which worked out well. I had a kind of difficult pregnancy, so I was ready to stop when I did (also gave me some more time to really focus on my preschooler before his competition was born!) I don't think my students had a hard time with my movements- women "get" pregnancy, and everyone was totally supportive. I got better at explaining movements in many different ways. and sometimes used stronger students to deno, but usually, it wasn't necessary. Happy pregnancy!
-Amara (with a "not quite 6 month old")

I taught regular classes up until I was about 6 months pregnant. I didn´t continue cause I was going to jave in the middle of a term and thought it would be better for my students to have the same teacher the whole term.

But i did teach workshops, my last one was 2-3 weeks before Molly was born (she was 5 weeks early).

So fore sure you can do it. Get good rest before and after, and stay hydrated, eat well and don´t get to hot. Beware of your movements since your body does get mere flexible, so that you don´t push it too far.

I couldn´t do some hard movements like hard twists in the end, I felt the baby moving around and it was quite scary;) So skip those things you feel uncomfortable doing in class.

As for camels, we don´t teach those for beginners..g.:

Thank you so much for all your guidence and the articles are fab. I am planning to teach until 7 months and the use of more verbal explanations is a good idea. ,r:;

I've danced through two pregnancies, and I just want to echo everyone who said to Listen To Your Body. you will hear stories of people who performed or taught up to the day they gave birth - there are certainly no limitations if your pregnancy ends up working out that way. but. every woman and each pregnancy is different. my first time I felt great staying active the whole way through; my second time my body really wanted me to slow down and take things easy. it was kind of a hard switch for me because I'd already decided on how I thought I wanted to dance/perform/teach through that one, and I felt guilty/weak/lame for not being able to follow through. but your baby is the most important thing.

Undultions and camels look & feel really funny when your 'bump' really starts to grow..l;, ...
I don't teach regular weekly classes but I do sub quite a bit for my instructor and did so til almost 7 mo even carrying twins.
Regarding demonstrating the more complicated movements when you're beyond doing it yourself, my master teacher was injured in a car wreck almost 2 years ago (broken collar-bone.) She would take one of her troupe members with (well, technically I guess we took her with as she couldn't drive ,r:; -- but we drove her car) she'd have her dancer demonstrate the movement/drill as she verbally broke it down while sitting close to the "model" where she could point out what muscle group was working... she compensated the dancer by allowing them to attend one extra class a week per (beyond the normal troupe class.) We rotated which of us would go with her.

With your baby growing your energy will grow as well. I remember I could sleep only for few hours every night for the last three months when I was expecting my baby.
One important suggestion would be: do not demonstrate any kind of shimmy or accented movements.

Originally Posted by Michaela

One important suggestion would be: do not demonstrate any kind of shimmy or accented movements.

This would only be dangerous if you have a weak cervix -- albeit very dangerous if you do. Just make sure your OB or mid-wife is aware of your dancing and listen to what they have to say... as important as knowing and listening to your body!

I forgot to mention the energy thing earlier as I have a couple ill babies (one who posted the former post before I was finished -- with his foot of course,r:; .) You will get an energy burst during the second trimester but sometimes it can drop again in the third... green tea is good for energy and for nausea (peppermint tea is also good for nausea) but keep it to 2 cups a day and cut out the rest of your caffeine (cut down slowly if you drink alot of it now.) Also, keep a few emergency snacks handy in your car, desk and even by your bed... I kept a peanut-butter cracker and pretzel stash at work/in car and a peanut butter sandwich by my bedside during my 1st pregnancy and gained more than the 25lb recommendation -- I wasn't working with my 2nd so I did the peanut butter sandwiches and chocolate milk for snacks and while I didn't gain more than the recommendation I had a very difficult time taking the weight back off afterwards... with my third & fourth pregnancies I kept those cans of slim-fast (the generic ones worked also, just not as many flavors) by my bed-side and the bars (slim-fast, Special K, etc...) in my car and fruit in my dance bag; I've been able to take the weight off after the last 2 pregnancies (and keep in mind I'm taking off the weight from the 1st 2 at the same time) and was able to manage the energy dips and the instant hunger moments easily... Good luck aaaaannd Congratulations!!!
Rach

Btw, I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all... I just have like alot of experience with pregnancy,r:; ...