Elizabeth

Wed, Sep 21, 2022

After returning from New Orleans where I was choreographing and directing my latest dance film I discovered the news I was pregnant. After 2 years of negative tests it was a breath of fresh air to learn my body could provide a nurturing home for our little one to grow. We couldn’t have been happier.

Working as a choreographer in a dance studio means observing your body's shapes, lines, physicalising concepts, pushing your physical capacity in addition to memorising sequences. Whilst I have been pregnant I have found it challenging to work with my changing body in a creative setting however I have loved to read and experience its changes. People tell you it is a magical experience to be pregnant and it truly is. The novel feelings of contentment and peacefulness have been so welcomed by me, as a harsh critic of my body's image, admiring its abilities has been a gratifying affair.

However, the increase in blood supply running through my body, the gaining of weight from my growing bump - and the additional carbs I can’t help gravitating towards, the brain fog and the physical uncertainty of what I can and can't do had left me a little stumped when it came to my choreographic work. Yet despite the mental and physical hindrances, I have leaned into the limitations as creative means to generate restricted, isolating and emotive movement reflective of my current physicality where possible. Lets face it, the bump is sticking around for 9 months and I can’t stop in my tracks. We continue.

During the first and second trimester I have continued cold water swimming, being in the water allows for my hips to feel expansive and weightless and the shock of the cold gets my blood pumping and reduces swelling dramatically on those warmer nights. During the second trimester I have found myself with more energy (just a little more), and I picked up strength training again with my personal trainer @clareyates_pt who has educated me on what is and isn’t safe to do during pregnancy, invaluable advice and exercises. Here are a few pointers from Clare.

“Basic rules to keep in mind for exercising throughout each & every trimester:

Keep exercise low impact, low intensity.
Spend a minimal amount of time on your back but don’t avoid it altogether as there are many beneficial glute exercises, hip and lower back stretches that you’ll miss out on.

Keep exercise to a ‘maintenance level’ ... you’re not trying to progress your fitness levels or push for PB’s so ditch any ‘go hard or go home’ attitudes you may previously have had when you were exercising and just enjoy moving your body and keeping up your existing fitness levels.
Take a step back from heavy overhead lifting or loading. If you’re working in a gym then by all means use a Smith Machine to help you work this way but do be mindful of the weight you’re adding and stay well within your usual lifting range.
Keep active first and foremost it will help with labor but most importantly your recovery.
Avoid spinal twists in the first trimester, fine for the second and third trimester, although it is important to remember to always twist away & not across bump.
Always try to bear in mind that your body is flooded with Relaxin throughout this time so be mindful when performing any single leg exercises or anything that requires a vast amount of stability. Your ankles/knees/hips may not be 100% on board with whatever it is you’re trying to do.
Fundamentally try to remember that nothing is entirely off the cards, it’s just about working more mindfully, so opt for lower weights but maybe up your repetitions or use resistance bands to switch up & progress bodyweight exercises without adding weights to the equation.
Golden Rule: If it doesn’t feel right, then stop.”

Gaining this knowledge has allowed me to free up my mind and body, and to stop being so fragile with myself! As I enter the third trimester I’m challenged by my desire to accept new opportunities that will expand my reputation and experience; and yet I am left questioning how I will feel from day to day, understanding as a freelancer when to step away from the external demands and return my focus inwards to this beautiful, ever-growing human, a dance I think I will continue to learn the rules of for some time to come.

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