For the Health and Body-Conscious Mom-To-Be: Popular Prenatal Workout Now on DVD

The RHYTHM FOR LIFE DVD, based on the popular prenatal workout from New York City's Maternal Dance class that prepares expectant moms physically and mentally for labor is now available. Created by choreographer, perinatal fitness educator and mother of two, Suzanne Caesar, M.A., Maternal Dance has been featured on the Discovery Health Channel's "Runway Moms." It is a fresh and contemporary prenatal exercise program to celebrate pregnancy while feeling strong and sexy. Through a unique combination of dance-based exercises and yoga, this workout supports moms-to-be to safely stay fit and feel good.

"My program combines core strengthening and flexibility work in a way that is appropriate for pregnant women," says Caesar. "The exercises also prepare women for labor and delivery by helping to loosen the hips and pelvic muscles. As the women become more body-aware through the movements, they become more confident in themselves and more trusting in their bodies to go through labor. Their stress levels are lower and they feel like the feminine goddesses that they are."

RHYTHM FOR LIFE - The Prenatal Belly Dance Workout DVD includes four segments. Relax & Rejuvenate is 15 minutes of stretching and to ease pregnancy discomforts and lower back tension with emphasis on core strengthening. Firm & Sexy is a 10-minute workout to counteract postural changes with upper bodywork, adding body isolation exercises and movement to condition hips and thighs for an overall energy boost. The 20- minute Latin Belly Dance Fusion is a creative low impact routine that is a fun way to stay fit and feel fabulous. There's a 3-minute Imagery & Meditation section highlighting the importance of working the pelvic floor muscles with a few examples, and an imagery exercise to slow down and connect with your pregnant body and baby.

The sections can be done separately depending on time constraints or fitness level. Start with the shorter sections and slowly work yourself up to the complete program. The entire workout is approximately 50 minutes and includes modifications to the exercises depending on what trimester you're in.

RHYTHM FOR LIFE – The Prenatal Belly Dance Workout DVD is available now (price; $19.95) at www.maternaldance.com.