HI, everyone! Today, I would like to share how I recovered from a C-section delivery and eased my way back into pole dancing after giving birth.
Similar to most women, I couldn’t wait to lose the pregnancy fat, but I knew it was important to tread carefully and not be overzealous as C-sect is indeed major abdominal surgery. My biggest fear was not being able to perform certain moves anymore, especially the more dynamic ones, which impact the tummy section. I was full of apprehension due to the expectations I had as a previous exotic dance instructor and performer.
As I had become 19kg overweight during my pregnancy, I started to perform very light cardio exercises while waiting for my C-section to heal internally. It took me almost a year to return to pole dancing; I had to return to the beginners’ level and revisit all the basics. Despite not having danced for almost 2 years, I was surprised to find that muscle memory served me well on the pole.
Although I was disparaged that I had lost most of my strength, stamina, flexibility and could no longer perform aerial inverts, I kept reminding myself in mid-routine that it was all normal, especially considering the fact that pole dancing is an intense workout, even for someone who has not experienced pregnancy.
Before I returned for pole lessons, I focused on my hip mobility and worked on my off-the-pole conditioning ─ which involved planks, supported handstands, dynamic stretches, which included high kicks and penchés ─ about two to three times a week. It helped me progress through the levels quickly enough, and I discovered that my baseline strength had regressed from a high-advanced to a high-intermediate post-pregnancy level.
In order to retrain my body, I just kept working on all the drills; reminding myself how to go upside down by breaking down the technique of inversion. These were all lessons that I used to teach before my pregnancy, and it was truly humbling again to feel what my students experience with their upside-down struggles.
For most of them, aerial inversions are indeed the bane, and sometimes, as professional dancers, we fail to remember how difficult it feels when you first start out; on hindsight, I am grateful for this experience because it has taught me to be more patient with myself and my students.
I think the key message here is that during your post-pregnancy, the fundamentals and drills are what will keep you going on the pole with the help of muscle memory. Do remember to be kind to your body because it went through a lot of trauma to bring life into the world, so give yourself time to get back to where you once were.
Stay tuned next week for some videos I’ll be sharing on simple drills and conditioning that helped me get back to pole dancing! ─ The Vibes, March 24, 2021
If you are interested to give pole dancing (or other forms of exotic dance) a go, check out my Instagram account: @stardust_poledancer
