Do you have a baby between 1 month and 1 year old, and are you wondering what activities you can do with him/her in Brussels? Going on a walk in a stroller is fun, but aren’t there other options that are beneficial for their development—and fun for moms, too? I’ve got just what you need: mom-and-baby dance.
These are 1 hour and 15-minute group workshops that include: a sharing circle, gentle floor dances, dynamic standing dances with your baby in a carrier (wrap or ergonomic baby carrier), and time to write in a creative journal. Dance, which is both exercise and art, offers truly extraordinary physical, mental, and relational benefits. And as a new mom… we deserve at least that, right?
In this article, I’ll give you 10 great reasons to come try it out:
1: A wellness break during your postpartum period
The postpartum period—what an adventure! I’ve been there too: sleepless nights, mounting fatigue, physical aches and pains, unexpected challenges, mood swings… So many challenges that leave us feeling overwhelmed, out of our depth, “underwater,” and sometimes even “at the end of our rope”… So in the midst of the storm, what do you hold on to? What are your go-to places to catch your breath? Taking wellness breaks in your daily life as a new mom isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity to keep the ship afloat.
2: Rebuilding Your Body After the Shock of Childbirth
Childbirth can sometimes be a truly traumatic physical experience (not always, thankfully! but it’s still common…). Personally, I had this feeling—intense, certainly, but sincere—that I’d “been hit by a bus.” After such a shock, it’s normal to need to rebuild, tend to yourself, and heal. Gentle movements and adapted dance moves effectively contribute to physical recovery. Not all physical activities are suitable for a woman’s body during convalescence. But dance, using my approach which combines the MamDanse method, Matrescence Dance and art therapy techniques, is 100 per cent safe and beneficial.
3: Regaining a Positive Body-Image
There are the emotions, the physical pain, the postpartum or breastfeeding-related complications—but there’s also the altered self-image we have of ourselves. “I don’t recognize myself in this body anymore,” “I feel ugly”—many new moms share these feelings with me. Dance, by offering graceful movements to these bodies that have been through a lot (of course you don’t have a model’s body at this point in your life—and that’s sooo normal!), helps you value yourself, define your own standards of beauty, and accept yourself just as you are. And then, little by little, the magic of dance fitness takes hold: your muscles return, your figure reshapes itself, until you rediscover an image of yourself that feels right.
4: Regaining Self-Confidence
Moms who come to my workshops sometimes say, “I didn’t think I could do this.” But by pushing past their limits—whether by making it to class, mastering choreography that’s sometimes a bit technical, or letting loose in free-style dances that require a touch of courage—they rediscover confidence in their creative talents and physical abilities. As a result, they gain self-assurance and self-esteem. What a gift!
5: Foster Joy and Find Peace
Feel good in your body, feel good in your mind. Dance, by stimulating physical pleasure, releases the “happiness hormones”—D.O.S.E.: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. These hormones improve mental health and a sense of well-being. All the moms who participate in my workshops leave, and I quote: “full of positive energy,” “feeling joy, so much joy!,” “relaxed and ready to face the week with more serenity.”
6: Embrace the Ups and Downs of Matrescence
I don’t think I’ll surprise anyone by saying that matrescence—that transition when a woman becomes a mother—is a rather… turbulent time? There may be ups and downs, gentle waves or rough swells, but one thing is certain: nothing is certain! Self-reflection, questions, doubts, mood swings… these are all internal movements that would benefit from being expressed outwardly. So why not embrace this movement? Dancing is a way to embody change, to give it substance, to give it form. Dancing can help you become aware of some of your blockages (physical or psychological), your emotions (whatever they may be), and the fact that “our bodies speak.” These are valuable experiences for the rest of your journey as a mother…
7: Doing What’s Best for Baby
And what about the baby in all this? If you’re not coming to dance for yourself, come dance for him or her! They’ll be the first to enjoy the soothing motion and music. Dancing helps them become attuned to rhythm, develop their musical ear, improve their sensorimotor skills, and—most importantly—nurture their social, cognitive, and emotional development through secure bonding with their mom and interaction with other babies. This meets their essential needs during their first 1,000 days of life—a critical period that lays the foundation for their health and well-being throughout their entire life.
8: Strengthening the Mother-Baby Bond
Through joyful physical interaction and sensitive, nonverbal listening between you, a whole world of communication is created between you. Sharing moments of joy together—moments that take you away from the daily grind of household chores and basic care—helps create fond memories and a bond of trust and happiness. Becoming a mom isn’t about sacrifice but rather about marveling at the life entrusted to us—a life that needs to flourish through care and love.
9: Meeting Other Moms in Brussels
This reason is no small one… Dancing with your baby in a group setting allows you to meet other moms and build a network, because “it takes a village to raise a child.” When moms realize they’re not alone—that others share common experiences and that their feelings are completely “normal”—they feel reassured. These spaces then become “safe spaces” and places of comfort—so necessary during this phase of our lives.
10: Receiving and Giving Through Sisterhood
Sisterhood—solidarity among women—is not just a buzzword. It is a powerful force for collective empowerment and personal growth. Experiencing sisterhood through dance, in an atmosphere of kindness and non-judgment, helps you overcome challenges and sometimes… even feel useful! Yes, through your sharing, your presence, and your courage, you can also inspire other moms and help them on their journeys. Isn’t that wonderful?
Come discover mom-and-baby dance
Here we are at the end of our 10 good reasons (a non-exhaustive list, as you’ll have gathered!) to dance with your baby during your postpartum. And guess what: you can also come and dance with your baby in-utero before the birth ! Dancing pregnant has huge benefits that I will explore in a future article.
To sign up for a workshop, visit my website at shemoves.be, and if you have any questions, email me at flora@shemoves.be.