The dance studio is filled with women in comfy, loose fitting clothes moving in a circle. One by one they draw one card each from two piles. One pile of cards has a single word printed on it such as “Simplicity” or “Enthusiasm”. These single word cards are to help the students focus on an intention for the class ahead. The other pile of cards helps to set an affirmation to focus on in class with a sentence like “I am grateful and beautiful”.   These focal points help to keep the dancers mindful during their upcoming instruction.

The circle of women are now moving in unison, gazing at one another to communicate and mirroring the movements of a dance, a dance as ancient as humanity itself. Belly rolls and undulation of the oblique muscles are reminiscent of belly dances originating in the Middle East. A side-to-side swaying motion of the hips recalls the dance movements of Latin American Salsa. The dancers move and flow as they weave together the cultures of the world binding the pre-natal and post-partum dancing mother’s in preparation for birthing and beyond.   Leading the mother’s in dance is a Bozeman mother, dance teacher and Certified Dancing for Birth â„¢ instructor Isis Ptak. Ptak has been a fixture on Bozeman’s dance scene for two decades as a Belly Dancer and as director of Lotus Fire and Moon Flower dance troupes. You may have been mesmerized by her troupes dancing at such events as MSU’s annual International Food Bazaar, SlamFest and the Sweet Pea Festival. Ptak has been training in dance since the age of fifteen and recently decided to become a Certified Dancing For Birth â„¢ Instructor to bring something new and unique to her dance repertoire. What could be more unique than women giving birth while dancing?

“Only in the last 100 years have American women given birth to their children lying on their backs in a hospital. Before that women gave birth in their homes with a midwife, in familiar surroundings, and were encouraged to birth in ways that felt natural to them,” Ptak explains. “Dancing for Birth â„¢ techniques can be used in the delivery room to facilitate movement for an easier birth with less complications and recovery time”. Ptak goes on to explain, “Dancing increases elasticity of the skin. This allows the skin to stretch more easily and may reduce the occurrence of stretch marks. During delivery the need for episiotomy may be reduced with increased skin elasticity. The muscles of the pelvic floor are strengthened through use of the Dancing For Birth â„¢ techniques resulting in increased muscle tone and opening of the pelvic area to assist in a less complicated birthing process. Recovery time after birth is also decreased as not only are Mother and Child less stressed from a relatively easy birth but the toned muscles of the pelvic floor in a Dancing For Birth â„¢ Mom are in great shape and rebound quickly.”

Dancing for Birth â„¢ was founded by Stephanie Larson, DFB, CD (DONA), CBE, and BFA, whose vision is for women worldwide to have the enjoyment of dancing their babies into the world.  According to her website Larson believes women can learn how to harness gravity and move their bodies during labor for more  satisfying births by employing Dancing For Birth â„¢ techniques and movements.

Ptak clearly understands and supports the benefits that the movements she teaches mom’s, before, during and after the birthing process can bring to all involved. “There needs to be more of a return to movement during birth instead of women laying flat on their backs which is uncomfortable and works against gravity. With dance movement it is even possible to re-position a baby that is presenting in a breech position for a headfirst entrance into the world. These dance movements can make birth faster and also prepare the body in a positive and healthy way for the effects that can happen after birth.” The benefits not only include the physical but the emotional as well. “Dancing with your baby after birth makes Baby closer to Mom-Baby is used to the rhythm of Mom and that rhythm has become natural to the child in utero and is comforting post-partum.”

To learn more about Dancing for Birth â„¢ or to attend a class in the Bozeman area please contact Isis Ptak at 406-209-5771.

Kathleen Johns advises clients on optimal living through integration and practice of holistic modalities. Please visit www.KathleenJohns.com to learn more. photo Gwen Dodge