Being a dancer and being pregnant is an amazing time. Because dancers are so instinctually in tune with our bodies, the physical and emotional experience can be quite beautiful as we can often feel every detail of the transformation. Teaching while one is expecting can also be a beautiful time but can also be frustrating, particularly in the later months when/if we are not quite able to do everything we did before (even when we know to expect that coming.)
For me, both my pregnancies were very different. While I felt good for both of them in terms of never experiencing morning sickness, the physicality of both varied drastically and I had to adapt my teaching style and longevity for both. With my son I was able to work out every day, teach well up to my due date, was able to demonstrate and was up and down off the floor to the point where my students used to stand there shocked that I could still do most things (all within safe guidelines.)
Perhaps a bit naive because we all know every pregnancy is different, it frustrated me to no end when with my daughter, by month 5 I was experiencing so much sciatic and pelvis pain I could barely walk some days. As dancers do, I barreled through for a while and modified what I needed to- I mean there were pieces to be choreographed and my creative mind didn’t stop, if anything it increased! So, I kept going until about month 7 or 8, where at this point I was pretty much teaching from a chair or sitting (bouncing) on top of a Pilates ball because it took the pressure off my pelvis. Truthfully, I was a little depressed by this experience when the first pregnancy was so much “easier” physically.
After a while and a lot of self-reflection I stopped being so hard on myself. I was 42 years old and blessed to be carrying my daughter. There were a lot of uncertainties with this pregnancy and the fact that I was able to have her at all made me put things in perspective that this was a moment in time. I needed to relish in that and go to my basic dancer instincts and listen to my body. Period. I needed to rest and slow down. And that I did. I stopped feeling like a failure and I presented an example to my students of taking care of your mind, body and soul and the precious gift I was given. I put myself first. I prioritized.
So, for all the Mommas to-be out there- take your time and take it day by day. When you feel good, feel good and enjoy it! Move and teach the way that feeds your soul, but I’m here to give you a friendly reminder that I’ve been there and you’re amazing whether or not your body cooperates the way you want. Just because your physical body may want you to slow down for a bit doesn’t mean you don’t have other things to offer your students during your pregnancy. The trick is to modify and tap into those other amazing gifts you have to offer until your little one comes along. Be healthy. Dance smart. Teach smarter and always listen to your body. It’s what we’ve been trained to do!
Good luck to you all!
See you in the dance studio,
Jess
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