6
...belly dance continued
When I got pregnant, I was worried that I'd have to give up my newly discovered hobby. However, my obstetrician encouraged me to continue saying it would help "tone all those muscles up", as long as I didn't get too high impact. I was overjoyed, but it was when I went into labour that I discovered the secret behind belly dancing. It may have helped tone my body, made me feel better about myself and strengthened my core, but most importantly, it truly prepared me for childbirth. Before I got into belly dance and when my first baby was born, it was all I could do to push him out. By the time my second and third came, I sort of knew what I was
supposed to be doing so it was easier, but I had no idea how very beneficial the belly dancing was until I was in labour with my fourth child. Not only was I relaxed, I seemd to be automatically conditioned and undulated through my contractions, which made the whole process
much more enjoyable... if you could call labour enjoyable.
I liked Zumba and had fun while it lasted; I might even go back someday for kicks and giggles. But, even though belly dancing involved more devotion on my part, ultimately it became a lifestyle for me, as opposed to another faddish passtime. Belly dance has such a rich history, and with so many varying styles to choose from, there's something for every type of military wife.
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Belly Dance
An Ancient Art Revived
The dance style commonly referred to today as "belly dancing" is indeed, an ancient art. There are figurines as old as 5000 years, depicting figures in poses still used in modern day belly dancing. Originally developed to help Arabic women tone their bodies to prepare themselves for childbirth, belly dance was practiced from childhood.
Traditionally, belly dancers would wear coins in their costumes as a show of their wealth, which eventually would be used as a dowry.
Staff Writer Carrie Oakey enjoys belly dance twice at week at her local recreation complex.