Relevé Birth: Where Dance, Birth, and Motherhood Converge
Have you ever had a good song come on and you just can’t help it and you start dancing? Hi, I’m Sierra and I do this all the time. Sometimes I don’t even realize it’s happening. My instincts kick in and I just start moving. Ok, maybe not instincts, but something inside me moves me to the rhythm of the music and I let go. You’ve done this too, right? I’m not a crazy person… Am I? (debatable, but I’ll move on). I’ll go one step further and say when songs I’ve danced to in the past come on I remember the choreography. Seriously, even decades later my body remembers the movements and I just start dancing. It’s mind-blowing.
Why Dance and Birth?
You’re probably wondering why I’m talking about this and what it has to do with Relevé Birth and doula support. Let’s back up a little bit and talk about my experience. I grew up in the world of dance. I trained for nearly two decades with various instructors in multiple different styles of dance and eventually became an instructor myself. Dance is a huge piece of me! When I was trying to name my business I wanted something different. I wanted something special to me. I wanted something that had meaning. When I stumbled across relevé while watching a dance video on Instagram it hit me like a ton of bricks. That was it! Relevé Birth.
Let me explain my train of thought and why I love it so much. Relevé is a term in Ballet meaning to rise up from flat feet onto the toes. The French term also means lifted. When I think of “lifted” I think of elevating or making something better. Also, I live in Utah with the mountains and high elevation, and felt that tied into my geographic area in a subtle way. It felt right!
Supporting your Pregnancy and Birth with Dance
Our bodies are incredibly intelligent; we are capable of a thing called muscle memory. According to Dictionary.com muscle memory is defined as: the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement. A good example of muscle memory is typing. Take a moment and think about that. Whether you are on your phone or a computer you type fairly easily because through repetition you know where the letters are on the keyboard and can easily move your fingers from letter to letter without much thought. Cool right?! We can see the same effect through dancing (I use the term dance broadly as any movement counts).
By preparing during your prenatal period and having movements you are familiar with and have practiced, when it comes time for labor you will be able to do those movements and feel comfortable and confident. Everyone feels a little uneasy or awkward doing something for the first time. That’s why practicing and repetition before labor is key. That muscle memory will kick in. Your body may even lead you to specific movements at specific times during your labor to benefit you and your baby the most.
Don’t think of dance as a specific or choreographed movement. Instead, think of it as your body’s way of letting go and feeling in the moment. Think of it as a way to get out of your head and into your body. Anyone can dance! It could be swaying your hips, or rocking back and forth, or holding a position. You could even include music if you want. Maybe you put on that one song that always gets you grooving and have a little dance party of your own. Whatever you feel is best for you. Let that muscle memory take over and just enjoy the ride.
Benefits of Dance for your Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum
You may be thinking I have no coordination and can’t dance, why on earth would I want to do this?! Well, there are actually benefits to including movement a.k.a. dance throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Physical Fitness: Dance helps to strengthen your core muscles, promotes cardiovascular health, and enhances flexibility.
Body Awareness: Dance creates a connection to your body fostering heightened body awareness. This increased awareness can be beneficial during labor resulting in intuitive movement to find comfort and make progress.
Community and Support: Participating in prenatal dance classes provides an opportunity to connect with other moms, and share support for one another.
Improved Mood: Dance releases oxytocin and endorphins. These are hormones that progress labor and minimize pain – we want these flowing!
Engagement: Dancing encourages your baby to move down and this leads to dilation of your cervix and as a result labor progresses.
Relaxation and Flexibility: Dance relaxes and opens your pelvic muscles and ligaments, which allows the pelvis to expand and make room for the baby.
Pain Management: It’s a great distraction from discomfort. Pain management? Yes, please!
Self-Expression: Dance is an expressive outlet. This movement postpartum allows moms to express emotions and foster a positive mental state.
Fun! Most importantly, dance is fun and enjoyable. Finding joy in physical activity can help motivate postpartum moms to stay active and committed to their overall well-being.
These benefits can then lead to fewer interventions, shorten overall labor time, and increase your satisfaction with your birth and postpartum. So whether you think you can dance or not, you should give dancing a try. What could it hurt? Like Elle Woods said: Exercise (dance) gives you endorphins, Endorphins make you happy. Happy mamas give birth and enjoy it. Ok, I may have changed that a little, but you get the idea.
It’s important to note that you should choose movements that align with your comfort level and physical condition. Additionally, you should consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine, including dance, to ensure safety for your specific situation.
I began this journey with doula work looking for ways to help moms give birth with confidence in their bodies. My many years of dance training snuck its way into my brain when I was studying pelvic dynamics and movements to support the different phases of labor. I want to share that knowledge with you so that you can have a positive and, dare I say, enjoyable birth experience.
Now, shall we dance?
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Please discuss all medical concerns with your care provider. This content is for educational and informational purposes only.
Welcome to the Relevé Birth Blog!
Here we explore the incredible journey of motherhood. Join me as we delve into empowering insights, easy movement tips and holistic approaches to pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
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Thanks for reading!
Hi, I’m Sierra, a doula with a passion for physiological birth. My mission is to help moms, like you, gain the confidence to wholeheartedly trust their bodies to bring their babies into the world.
Join the movement to a better birth.
