Postpartum & Dance

Since childhood I've always wondered how these dancers can perform for such long time on the stage. It has been my dream to learn Dance and every time I heard any music, there was always a feeling of freshness from within. I wanted to challenge my inner capabilities as I’ve felt many times that I am happiest whenever I danced. But this was just not any Dance- it was learning a Classical dance form; a more stylized and sophisticated vocabulary to my adult body. I took a plunge and made the best decisions ever to start learning Bharatanatyam from 25-01-2020.

The initial years were spent in the pandemic lockdown and I began with an offline learning platform devoid of any supportive peers or cheerful spirits that I now enjoy in the class with my dance friends. On 31-01-2021 I found out that I was pregnant and had mixed feelings and fears. As much as I enjoyed learning Bharatanatyam I wasn't sure of my journey and I had to stop dancing for about 2 years straight. When my teacher Varsha announced about resuming face to face the classes, I was thrilled but I still feared of how I would start dancing again after giving birth. My mind was my biggest critic as it had created an illusion of nothing short of a nightmare when I begin dancing. But that was only until I gave it a chance.I had heard that bodies change after birth and I could feel it. It gave me a taste of both sides (pre birth and post birth). My daily lifestyle completely changed. As a new hands on Mom, there was no motivation to do anything. But I still wanted that one golden hour to do something that I love for myself in a whole week and that was it. There was no looking back again.

I dedicated an hour as a gift to myself in a week and made up my busy mind to start dancing again. At first it was difficult, but I feel like there is nothing in the whole world that we cannot do after pushing a tiny human out of my womb and bringing it to the world. That has been my biggest accomplishment. Delivering a baby has helped in acknowledging my fears. I can recall the screams and cries as a new mom even as I write this. My poor pelvic muscles have gone through so much and I am not sure if I can push them any further. My body shape and strength have changed. It doesn't seem the same as before. It has taken a while for my body to recover both physically and mentally.

My biggest inspiration to dance is my own sister. She started learning dance when she was ten and couldn’t continue for some reasons. But I used to wonder how she conveys the lyrical meaning of a song with just her facial expressions.Somewhere inside me I know that I am not that person who will give up so easily. So, with all my mental strength I started doing my morning exercises and following a healthy diet. But sooner than I thought, I lacked motivation and failed to keep in shape and maintain that lifestyle.

I realised for my mental health, I needed to commit to something that is long time and consistent. It cannot be a crash diet or few heavy workouts to cut down the post birth flabs. Amidst the busy life, friends, family and children, dance has a special place in my daily routine. There is nothing better than having to train under someone who has been through the similar hurdles with changes in body after birth than my own Guru. I love her methods, tips, and tricks to dance. A session with varsha is not just a dance practice, it includes workshops, live performances, motivation and much more. This makes me more enthusiastic to dance. I’ve given it more importance because that’s where I explore much about my capabilities and learn to stretch my limits. Dancing is an art.

Dancing is a motivation.

Dancing is fun with discipline.

Dancing is a way of communication.