By Nikiah Seeds at www.mamagoddessbirthshop.com World Dance 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 theDVD 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: You can visit her web-site at: The Goddess DancingReview of Belly Dance Prenatal Fitness & Dance Instruction Program with Naia
Cathy Moore is a Certified Nurse Midwife with over 20 years experience in Women's Health Care, and a 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.
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Review of Belly Dance Prenatal Fitness and Dance Instruction Program with Naia
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