Thread: Dancing while pregnant :)

So... I have had a very emotional and big week!! Firstly buying a new house and I also found out Im pregnant with my second child!! :)

Its only early days but because I was not dancing with my first child 8 years ago, I naturally have some questions as to what I can or should and shouldnt do during my pregnancy , dance wise.

I have been dancing for almost 7 years at least twice a week so any advice and dos and dont you ladies can give me that would be great!!!

A good thing is open communication with your Doctor and see what they think. I danced until the day i delivered but that is me. I think listening to you body is a really good idea. it let me know what i could and could not do and when i felt i was too tired! Congratulations!!! Big Hugs!!!

definitely listen to your body and don't overdo it! I don't think there are really any particular moves that are "taboo" so as long as you feel comfortable dancing, go for it! But give yourself plenty of time to rest and recover! And don't feel bad if you get to a point where you just can't anymore - I ended up with awful sciatica and had to stop teaching my classes in my 9th month - I was disappointed because I really wanted to dance until the very end but I could barely walk so I had to admit to myself that it was time for a break.

oh, and congrats!!!

I danced until my 7th month because it was my first and I was clueless. But then my teacher sent me a great article about how belly dance is beneficial and helps with delivery. I wish I would of just kept dancing until delivery (and I did have a long labor so perhaps if I danced til the end it would of helped). But I agree that you should listen to your body and continue only if you feel comfortable.

Whoohoo! Congrats!

I have a troupie who just discussed this with her doctor last month. She was told she could do anything that didn't cause pain or strain. She found that doing a lot of shimmying bothered and worried her, so she dropped out of a number (in our show) that involved doing that, but did the other numbers.

My workout instructor who has also studied to become a personal trainer tells pregnant women not to do moves that involve twisting the torso (side-to-side twisting).

Thanks ladies ;) I have o intention of stopping dancing. Ive been going to class and performed a few times in the last few weeks (before I knew I was pregnant). Our troupe is currently preparing for a street party performance which is predominately a Turkish Romani theme. Im finding I dont have a lot of stamina at the moment being in my first trimester.

What about hopping or bouncing?

Pregnancy does not need to mean the end of your dancing. Not only do I know women who danced through their pregnancies, two of my friends performed in their third trimester.

Be guided by your health provider but for a healthy, active woman belly dance is safe provided:

• You don’t allow your temperature to rise too high
• You avoid jarring movements (not a good time to be rehearsing debke).
• You take into consideration the increased elasticity of your ligaments – you’ll be more flexible but you may not have enough strength and control (which can lead to damage).
• If it hurts – stop.

Lorelle who is belly dancer and physio put up some notes some time back:
Belly Dance and Pregnancy