Dancing for Two

When it comes to dancing during pregnancy, there’s often a ton of mixed opinions. My opinion, like most you know is – don’t stop. It's not hurting your pregnancy. If anything, you're celebrating it and taking control of your image. That's not negligence, but a revolutionary act of claiming your fitness, your body, and your passion. 

I mean, honestly, there’s so little you can control when you’re pregnant (including your mood swings) that at least you can feel like you’re doing your best to stay healthy and happy. 

I am sitting at 34 weeks today and my hips are numb from rolling side to side trying to find a comfortable position to sleep. My feet have swollen to the point where I can’t wear any of my shoes except my house slippers. My lungs are compressed thanks to my growing uterus pushing against it, and I can’t take 5 steps without running out of breath. And oh! Don’t even get me started on morning sickness and midnight cramps. I hear of these women who have had these sublime, serene pregnancies, and envy grows deep in my chest – or maybe that is heartburn from last night’s dinner still (I’m not sure!). 

It is such a hard burden to bear, when you feel trapped in your own house or job and must limit all of your activities because you are not sure when the next wave of nausea will strike. So, the least you can do for yourself is anything that’ll keep you happy.

The one thing that has kept me sane for the last 34 weeks is - *Dance*. It brings immense happiness to me. I’m blessed to be surrounded by a very loving and encouraging community who understands the positive effects that dance has had on my pregnancy and they couldn’t have been more supportive. However, every now and then I come across a few people who like to pass their judgement and troll me for “not being responsible” or for “potentially harming my baby”. I’m writing today to break all the myths surrounding ‘dancing through pregnancy’.

Dancing (or staying physically active) is great, in fact, recommended during pregnancy. Researchers say that it has multiple benefits including (but not limited to):

• eases common pregnancy-related problems like backache, posture issues and constipation
• increase the supply of oxygen in you and your child 
• help you handle the strain of giving birth
• strengthen your cardiovascular system, making you feel fitter and more resilient
• prevent blood clots and varicose veins
• improve the quality of your sleep
• reduce your risk of gestational diabetes

For me, the main benefit of dancing through pregnancy is – I’d be lost without it. I like to believe that I haven’t had any mood swings so far (you should ignore my husband if he tries to tell you otherwise), and I credit that to dancing. Those estrogen that are being released while dancing, certainly seem to be working for me. And if I'm happy, the world around me is happy and that makes this a happy pregnancy.

Otherwise, how would you explain this – with my swollen ankles and weight unevenly distributed, scratching an itch at ankle level is a feat of flexibility. However, as soon as the music goes on, my mobility is restored, and doing knee drops is no biggy. I forget about the constant joint aches and nausea is far from my mind.

Gone are those days when pregnancy was often treated as a condition that should be greeted with as little activity as possible. Dancing through pregnancy is not a taboo anymore. As long as you have a clear chit from you doctor, you shouldn't fear to slid into a pair of stilettos and twerk away the medicalized bias that views active pregnant bodies as unorthodox. Okay, maybe I went too far! Fitting into stilettos is going to be at least an hour-long hustle in itself. But you get my point! 

Growing a baby is such an amazing thing our bodies do, but I don’t see it as a time to sit back, relax and eat. In fact, the whole – ‘eating for two’ theory is a myth! But that’s a topic for another day. Studies have shown that staying fit during pregnancy can help you have a more comfortable pregnancy. And who wouldn’t want that right? Certainly not the people who’re trolling you. You should ignore the ignorant minds and do what makes you happy. Thankfully the strong community at https://fittamamma.com/ understands the need to stay fit during pregnancy and have the most comfortable clothes that feels custom made for you, giving that perfect support to your bump. Also, they're super cute! Do check out their collection. 

Here are a series of my videos on 'dancing through pregnancy':

#8weekspregnant

#15weekspregnant

#27weekspregnant

#30weekspregnant

#32weekspregnant

#35weekspregnant

#36weekspregnant

Many people believe that dancing with a baby bump must be very different. But honestly, if you are dancing already, the growth of your belly is so slow (remind me to tell you how I feel like I’ve been pregnant for a year) that it doesn’t feel very different. Just keep it up! Your body will tell you when something is becoming too much, so always listen.

#healthymommieshealthybabies

It is not okay to exploit artists!

Every so often I get a call from some organizers telling me about this fantastic opportunity to perform until…

 “Unfortunately, we don’t have a budget, but you’ll get a lot of exposure”

Or the dreaded…

“It’s a ticketed event and the performers are required to pay”

via GIPHY

Why do organizers think that it’s okay to exploit the performers by not only NOT compensating them in some ways, but even worse – asking them to pay to perform?

Those who’ve been around me know how I feel about that. “Performers probably put in more effort than the organizers themselves to enhance the quality of their show. Asking them to pay to perform is shameful”

Few things make me angrier than people trying to take advantage of artists. However, that's a rant for another day.

Asking someone to work "for the exposure" or “pay to perform” is not only insulting, it's false advertising. If you can't even offer a small stipend or a fair exchange of goods or services, you should be clear about exactly what you're looking for: a donation.

Being an artist all my life, I have stood up for better treatment of artists and recognizing them for their talent and effort. Be it a photographer, or a busker or a dancer, I have fought hard with every organization that I’ve been involved with to not only treat artists as volunteers, but also offer a fair exchange of goods or services in return. It is quintessential that we recognize and respect them for their effort and talent that they bring. After all, they are adding value to your events and enhancing the quality of your show.

It is not cool to be asking performers to make a 2-hour round trip commute, pay for costumes and props, pay for gas and parking, take hours out of their days preparing for the act, pay for studio rentals, and then ask them to PAY TO PERFORM. Especially, when the event is charging $$$ per ticket. It doesn’t feel great, and like I said earlier, it’s insulting.

Let me get this straight, you want me to diminish the hard work, time, money, resources I’ve put into developing my art, so I can help you make YOUR event successful. Do you not see the irony?

At Live2dance, we work extremely hard to build our brand. Our performances involve a lot of hard work, sweat, blood, tears and hour of practice. We perform at various events across the city. Some for-profit and some not for profit. We do not expect these organizations to compensate us for our efforts, because we understand how difficult it can get for some organizations to cover up their costs, let alone pay their performers. However, some organizations who truly realize the value of their performers insist on paying us in exchange of goods and services. We get gift cards, donations to our preferred charities, bouquets, cards or a token of appreciation very often. Those are the organizations that we truly enjoy performing for.

I am not trying to set a precedence here by standing up in support of artists who are asked to perform “in exchange of exposure” or are required to pay to perform. My goal is to bring my perspective on front of these organization and make them understand what it really takes to be an artist.

It is thrilling to be asked to perform. Yes, that’s true, but it’s also hard work that brought that opportunity to us. Our consistent, vigilant practicing, performing, marketing, strategic networking, etc.

It’s not about the money. It’s about principals and treating performers right.

So next time you reach out to me for a “great opportunity” that I wouldn’t want to miss and will get me exposure, however, it requires me to pay to perform, I’ll be directing you to this page. Hopefully, you’ll get my point.