During my pregnancy I had to become familiar with a new kind of body, another me.
From early on it became clear that services relating to body care, specifically designed for pregnancy virtually did not exist. As most people are afraid to touch pregnant women, therapeutic treatments were hard to find. Fortunately, through my personal daily regime of exercises and stretches, I remained comfortable in my body and was able to maintain my athleticism, flexibility and form.

On the other hand, most of my pregnant acquaintances suffered muscle stiffness, joint pains, lower back pain and other mild irritations. A lack of knowledge relating to overall body maintenance and diminished self-motivation increased their discomfort. Naturally, I began to apply my methods in order to help them achieve relaxation and a feeling of ease.

Pregnancy was an empowering time and my body was filled with wonder, strength and grace. Each day had a different energy and feeling, compelling me to pay special attention. Through my personal, internal observations I designed, adjusted and ameliorated a practice to accommodate my growing body. Happily, I remained fit, healthy and pain free for the duration of my pregnancy. As for dancing, I chose to perform up until 20 weeks, enjoyed a sensational natural childbirth and was back on stage and in shape after 3.5 months.

Mother Nature in all of her grandness did it for me, to me, with me. It’s as if I were possessed. Another force overtook my body, whirling me this way and that. I lost all sense of discretion and became extremely sexual. All senses submitted and surrendered to my animal self. In spite of having a mild epidural and drip attached, I performed my finest improvisation dance ever. Nothing and no-one could hold me back. I rocked, stamped, breathed, shook, bit, swayed, squatted, walked, spoke, kissed, grunted, gasped, vomited, smiled, laughed, loved and more, again and again. All of us, Dr Sakamoto, the midwives, my husband and I in perfect concert. We were so flawlessly in tune that when my daughter was born, I peculiarly found myself on my side with one foot positioned on the doctor’s shoulder and the other opened up in a split. I had not planned this position. It all happened so organically. Dr Sakamoto completely trusted me and flowed with my rhythm, no matter how unusual the consequence. I inhaled, held my breath, exhaled and out she came sliding. She greeted us with a scream and oh what joy filled my heart.

The labour lasted 17 hours but I truly enjoyed every moment of it. I know that I was able to experience this, engage on a deeply internal, whole body level and connect with everyone present because of all the mental and physical preparation that I had consciously and consistently maintained.

I reached out and her eyes were wide open looking at me. Exhilarated, breathless and in a twilight zone between awareness and oblivion, I gently placed her on my chest. Precious and perfect, she lay listening to the boom-boom beat of my heart, her heart.