*Mamas Need to MOVE

written By Gloria Overcash

The ancient practices of dance and yoga offer expectant and new mothers an opportunity to cultivate health in body, mind and spirit while creating the village it takes to raise a child.

PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM DANCING FOR BIRTH™ CLASSES

Dancing For Birth™ is a fun and uplifting dance workout for prenatal and postpartum women. Weaving together African Dance, Belly Dance, Caribbean Dance and Latin Dance, Dancing For Birth™ teaches women how to use world dance moves to facilitate more comfortable pregnancies, labors and births while encouraging optimal fetal positioning. Postpartum women can wear their baby in a wrap or sling and use the same dance moves to stretch, strengthen and tone their bodies after childbirth while bonding with their babies. Moves such as “Birth Goddess,” “Dilation Gyration,” and “Rock the Baby” empower mothers with techniques that they can use in labor to help baby navigate his/her way through the pelvis at the time of birth.

Participants report experiencing low levels of discomfort, few or no interventions, brief labors and high levels of satisfaction during their births. Babies whose mothers take Dancing for Birth™ classes love the motion of dancing and are easily soothed after birth by being held while the mother dances. Mothers regain their pre-pregnancy shape and tone more quickly when they continue Dancing for Birth™ classes with their baby after the birth. One of the only classes where pregnant and postpartum moms are together, it serves as a valuable resource for expectant mothers to learn from those who have gone before them.

BLISSFUL BELLIES PRENATAL YOGA

Rooted in Kundalini Yoga, Blissful Bellies Prenatal Yoga Classes are not only a dynamic full-body prenatal yoga workout; they also provide an opportunity for deep meditation. In addition to postures to stretch, tone and strengthen the body in preparation for childbirth, each class includes a breathing exercise, a keep-up exercise, meditation and deep relaxation. Class themes vary each week, from “For Releasing Fear” to “Stretching and Strengthening the Pelvic Floor.”  After class mothers-to-be have a chance to stay for tea and connect with each other. Mothers report that these yoga classes help them feel peaceful, strong, courageous, prepared for birthing and connected to their baby.

BLISSFUL MOMMY & ME YOGA

Often beginning with 10 minutes of “Baby Yoga,” the mothers gently move their baby’s bodies into simple yogic postures while singing a song or chanting a yogic mantra. “The Wheels on the Bus” is a big favorite, as is the suspense-building “Wahe Guru.” Babies also love to be held as mom practices her squats. “Mommy Yoga” sets such as “Finding Your Hidden Reserve,” “Regaining Your Navel Strength” and “Opening the Heart” can help new parents to stay strong and sane during parenthood. Meditations are chosen to help with common issues such as mild depression or to release anger and negativity. Mothers are encouraged to feed, change and soothe their baby as needed during class. Mommy & Me Yoga is NOT just for Mommies. Daddies, nannies, grannies and other caregivers are welcome with children aged six weeks to three years.

Gloria Overcash (aka Ravi Inder) lives in Bozeman with her husband and their two sons. She is a Certified IKYTA Kundalini Yoga Instructor, Khalsa Way™ Pregnancy Yoga Instructor, Spirit Baby Mommy & Me Yoga Instructor and Dancing For Birth™ Instructor with additional training in the Radiant Child Yoga Program (Levels 1 and 2). She holds classes for new and expectant mothers at Birth Place and regular Kundalini Yoga Classes at Bozeman Yoga Center and Community Yoga. For more information on class times, please check the schedule at blissfulfamilyyoga.wordpress.com.