Pregnancy is a strange time with the ways the body changes and which senses are heightened. Restrictions are what many women think of when they think of pregnancy. There are plenty of things that shouldn’t be done like drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. Rigorous exercise needs to be limited during certain points of pregnancy but exercising throughout pregnancy is important. You do not want to gain excessive weight as staying fit does not mean your baby will suffer in any way.
Regular exercise over the course of your pregnancy can alleviate pain in the back, allow the birthing process to go smoother, and improve overall health. This does not mean that you need to stay in the gym for hours a day but rather getting around 30 minutes of exercise daily should suffice.
The benefits include that of sleeping better which can be tough especially when you are further along in your pregnancy. Increased energy while reducing fatigue is going to be paramount especially when carrying around baby weight. Dancing is considered a great form of exercise when you are pregnant, along with swimming. Dancing does not require a pool or even a gym in order to do it daily.
Your First Trimester
During your first trimester, you need to focus on stretching to avoid any injury. An injury can be tough to recover from especially in the lower body when you are gaining weight at a steady rate. You need to take the time to understand your limits even though in some women there will be no difference in capabilities during the beginning of their pregnancy. Understanding your body and taking precautions can allow you to stay active throughout your entire pregnancy.
Your 2nd and 3rd Trimesters
Your dance routine is not going to stay the same from the beginning of your pregnancy to the end. You might have to change things up as a growing belly can lead to trouble balancing. Group dance classes can be a great time but you need to make sure you are aware of your surroundings. Overzealous dance class students could strike or kick you on accident when getting far too into the music. Exercise is easy to get when taking ballroom or salsa lessons as you will constantly be moving. You would be surprised at the workout that your arms and even legs get when spinning or doing a dip.
Why Types of Dancing Should You Pick?
You should pick a class with an instructor that has worked extensively with students that are pregnant. Ballroom and salsa dancing are both great exercise and safe to practice during pregnancy. Avoid any lifts or straining yourself too much so understand your limits physically.
What You Need to Watch Out For
Jumping or twisting any type of dance needs to be avoided if you are pregnant. Complex dances can lead to falls which is the last thing that you want when you are pregnant.
Dancing while pregnant can take the place of the gym while allowing you to keep off those excess pounds. Look into dance classes near you as it can be a great way to exercise while releasing stress!
