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By
Cathy Moore. July 2006.
WorldDance New York has just
released a new DVD of belly dancing for prenatal fitness. Let me begin by
saying that I REALLY like this DVD. The producers have put together a
thoughtful, satisfying, and safe program for belly dancing during pregnancy.
The program is intended
primarily for beginner belly dancers and non-dancers. Seasoned belly dancers
may not find this video to be very challenging for themselves, but will
certainly find it useful as an outline for developing and teaching prenatal
belly dance classes.
Naia is an absolutely
beautiful hostess and video instructor. She exudes a complete comfort with her
body and her wonderful smile conveys that she knows the secret of creating
life. She is absolutely resplendent in her abundant state! A goddess for sure!
The production quality of the
DVD is excellent. The voice-over is in Naia’s own voice, and her calm, clear
and poised manner of relaying the information is very reassuring to the viewer.
The use of a voice-over, the expert camera shots, and the occasional inset boxes
illustrating movement options all contribute to the exceptional quality of this
video. The entire video experience is further enhanced by
Jehan’s beautiful and
evocative music.
After a welcome sequence in
which all of the requisite cautions are outlined, the dance program itself
starts. The program is comprised of five parts, each named after an element.
Throughout the entire program, the viewer is given reminders about some of the
normal body changes to be expected with pregnancy, and information about how
some of the belly dance movements can be helpful in countering common pregnancy
discomforts and in preparing for labor and birth.
The teaching format is a
follow along plan, with relatively little actual breakdown of how to do the
movements, but because the movements presented are the most basic and simple
ones from the belly dance repertoire, I feel even absolute beginners should
easily master most of them. Each of the segments ends by linking the individual
movements taught into a short combination.
The dance curriculum begins
with “Water”- a gentle warm-up sequence that includes instruction in basic
posture, and lovely hand and arm movements. Included as well are many of the
common warm-up movements that we are all familiar with, such as shoulder rolls,
head rolls, and spinal flexion and extension. The viewer is encouraged to
“focus on the relaxation phase of each movement” and to “wash away the stress”,
putting her in a nice open state of body and mind for the rest of the
instruction.
The “Earth” section follows
with a focus on hip movements and includes the following hip isolations: hip
slides, semi circles on the horizontal and vertical planes, horizontal hip
circles, hip lifts, and “infinity loops” (figure eights). The viewer is
advised that hip movements help to keep the pelvis moving in various ways,
thereby exercising the muscles used in giving birth, and may also be useful in
helping the baby to find the best position for birth. I completely agree with
this claim, by the way! Once the basic isolations are covered, they are put
together into a short combination.
The segment titled “Air”
focuses on the upper body and encompasses arm movements, and chest movements.
Pretty combinations of snake arms with a step back, and forward arm wave with
lunge are offered, along with alternatives that are demonstrated via an inset
box within the frame. Other movements in this segment are chest lifts and
slides, and chest circles on both the horizontal and saggital planes.
“Fire” is the title of the
segment that covers traveling steps. Among the movements presented are a
Step-pivot-rock back combo, a three step turn, and a hip lift step. Once they
are demonstrated singly, they are all are put together into an extended
combination.
The next segment titled
“Dance” offers a follow along choreography that makes use of all of the movement
combinations presented in the preceding segments.
The final section, called
“Light” is a cool down sequence. It uses many of the movements already
presented in a slower tempo and with a more tranquil intention. The viewer is
encouraged to “think of each movement as refreshing, relaxing, soothing” and to
tune in to her body.
After watching it a few times,
I wanted to see for myself how much of an actual workout performing the video
would give, so I did the entire program as presented. It was a very gentle and
grounded workout that gave me some mild cardio stimulation and had some really
good thigh and glute work.
In evaluating this video, I
had an opportunity to communicate with both the producer, and the OB/GYN
consultant on the program. I can tell you from my conversations with them that
a lot of thought and care was given to creating a fun and safe program. The
choice of movements to include was deliberately limited to the safest and most
comfortable for use during pregnancy. All of my personal concerns about an
exercise program for pregnant women, including being aware of the changes in the
center of gravity that occurs as pregnancy progresses, and being careful to
avoid injury as a result of the normal joint laxity that occurs in pregnancy,
were addressed in this program.
I also wanted some input from
other birth professionals, so I took the time to share the DVD with a couple of
the OB/GYN docs that I work with, and both felt that they would have no problem
approving its use for their own patients.
Any woman using this video
is sure to feel like the mother goddess, the giver of life that she is, as she
follows along with Naia in this beautiful and affirming video program! I
congratulate the producers for creating an outstanding video that is sure to
fill a need in the market. I will recommend it without hesitation to anyone
looking for a prenatal belly dance fitness program.
About the author:
Cathy Moore is
a Certified Nurse Midwife with over 20 years experience in Women’s Health Care,
and a former co-owner of The Goddess Dancing™
Belly Dance Company. She is also certified as a Dancing Thru Pregnancy™
Pre and Postnatal fitness instructor and has been developing a Belly Dance for
Pregnancy and Birth curriculum.
Click here to contact her.
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