Hi everyone

Here is my latest news/blog page. I will be adding any interesting information/upcoming events/pictures or ideas for "bellydancebirth®"
Feel free to email me at maha@bellydanceforbirth.com and I will add your comments...

8.6.2010

Thirteen nights of almost unbroken sleep (eleven out of thirteen thus far!!) and counting...happy to be SLEEPING at last...wow what a difference a few zzzzzzzz's make! Aminah is doing v well....20 mths in two days! Still breatsfeeding, growing and a beautiful happy girl....her brotehrs love her dearly as well all do..what a blessing! Never let anyone tell you you cant have a natural baby at 46!! Your eggs are NOT rotton or dysfunctional...!!

So happy to report that I am waking up at last (although I did enjoy the slumber..lacto brain state - that is still there!) and able to start to to concentrate on my workshop material and resources etc....as well as promotions.....my work is growing daily and we now have a following in more countries....its very exciting to see so many more women embracing bellydance as a pre natal exercise and labour process...and many many midwives resonating on a v deep level with this work..

I went to  the Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival end of April and the workshop was really lovely and great feedback....also the Homebirth Conference in Echuca was also a wonderful turn out and bellydancebirth had a stall with the amazing Heather Bruce from Easy Babies....and made lots of sales and contacts with many gorgeous and supportive midwives..thank you to all......
We have some possible presentations in the pipleline for the second half of the year..will keep you posted..also all the best to Therese Kramer from Remark putting together the Breathing New Life Midwives National Conference in Alice Springs 1-4th July...bellydancebirth® will send over some DVD's and a book for the raffle..
Also a big thank you to Jo from Bankstown Hospital, midwife and educator who invited me to do a presentation in March and went on to present bellydancebirth® in her lecture on Optimal Foetal Positioning complete with belly dance costume!
Thank you to all our new online stores worldwide selling book and DVD - your support and love has been very appreciated -and to all the wonderful reviewers.....

All best to another incredible friend and selfless midwife Penny who is taking my book and DVD to Igor Charkosvsky at the Midwifery Today Conference in Russia (at his request)..look forward to hearing how all goes.......

And on the Homebirth front..we will NOT GIVE UP.....

27.4.2010

All is well in the land of babies moving into toddlerhood..Aminah at 18 1/2 months is growing up fast as mummies work is expanding and taking shape.....birthing my ideas and projects feels good..so does only waking once a night!!! We will get there..

I will be at Sydney Mid East Dance Festival doing a workshop on bellydancebirth on Friday 30th April...will be interesting with the bellydancers not birthing crew this time....looking forward to sharing...and taking all the family down!!

DVD is doing v v well and happy with all the amazing reviews we have had and support.....see reviews page http://www.bellydanceforbirth.com/flex/reviews/72/1
My one day intensive is coming along..wont give away too much but probably most likely to do first in the New Year...have many interested hosts now....I need a bit of "me" time before I launch into work in a bigger way....
So we are all looking forward to our next move as well as having to move house in next few months - off the land an into suburbia but I think this will be perfect for my two boys..the time ahs come..they will be 11 and 14 end of year WOW!!!!
Also I will have a stand at Homebirth Conference in Echuca..look forward to that 14-16 May 2010..

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7.3.10
Well at last I am back again to let you all know how things are going as Aminah turns 17 months in three days!! WOW!...we are all doing pretty well..I have had more consistent sleep in the last 6 weeks than in the first 15 1/2 months of her baby hood so am getting better....step by step..some days I feel stronger than others and feel that the recovery at 47 is taking me a bit longer than 10 years ago!! But I am working hard at getting my flexibility and strength back physically and sometimes emotionally..I am stretching each morning and realise I am stiffer than I used to be and have had v achy lower back..having an adjustment v soon....
On the work front, every day I am on the computer when I have time and space and keep sending out press releases and emails regards my book and DVD..It has been amazing the amount of positive feedback I am receiving worldwide..I am in the throes of formatting my one day intensive workshop that has been a challenging exercise as there are so many directions I could take it and so much content ..have decided to stay within integrity and focused on the deeper aspects of bellydancebirth®..so the workshop includes discussion, sharing, story telling,art, craft, body work, dance of course and fun! I am hoping to construct it in a way that the birth workers who attend will get to expereince the bellydancebirth®.. movements from a medical, physical, emotional and spiritual perspective.....I have till mid April to have it all ready plus a workbook that all participants will receive with added information..then  will apply for MidPlus points in Australia for midwives.....In the meantime on March 31st I will do a presentation at Bankstown Hospital for a midwives ante natal day, 29th April a workshop at the Sydney Mid East Dance Festival and I will have a stall selling resources at the Homebirth Conference Echuca May 14-16th and also a presentation in October at the NACE Conference...
I hope to start workshops in August locally then nationally...I should be in Perth and Maragret River mid September..for all those in W.A. please contact my host Faye at www.soulbirth.com for more info...any other HOSTS around Australia please send me an email as I am in the process of setting up dates.....
So thats me for now..many exciting possibilities for travel...possibly Europe and Spain and USA/Canada and New Zealand next year..will probably still be breastfeeding for awhile longer as Aminah, my mascot! will join me on my travels..love her dearly....
Thank you to everyone for your continued supprt......Bellydancebirth is getting some amazing responses and reviews see REVIEWS page as well as Reviews coming out in CAPPA Quarterly and Midwifery Today etc etc....And lastly the lovely Cathy Moore from USA has started a blog site in Bellydance For Pregnancy And Birth if you wish to join at

http://bellydancepregnancybirth.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_invite_net
Love to all
maha xx

7.1.10

HAPPY NEW DECADE EVERYONE

At last  am back to write an update on life and bellydancebirth®!

Firstly life..yes I am still breastfeeding my little Aminah and at night (two times still)...she is very healthy and growing up fast - 15 months in three days..she is only doing one sleep a day so I am needing to give her more of my time as she stays up longer and gets stronger!! Now I remember the intensity and beauty all rolled into one of the toddler stage!! But I do love this age from one to two.....very precious...

My beautiful sons also just turned 10 and 13..it's amazing..I keep telling myself how fast it all goes in the wider scheme of things so try to stop - relax - enjoy the time with these beautiful children...Although I do find it challenging some days, as I am still tired and trying to juggle many balls..but wouldn't have it any other way!!! I am sure many mummas can relate to this...

DVD is selling well and book is also doing well as an accompaniment to DVD..they are a great dual resource package..I have been selling both all over the world and have "met" via the internet some incredible women from pregnant mums to doulas to midwives etc etc..its a fantastic journey of exchange..I am getting in REVIEWS and will hopefully post them on a new REVIEWS page on my website over next couple of months...stay tuned...

I was v happy to have also sent a book and DVD to DR Christiane Northrup in USA who I have admired for years....she loved my book and DVD and gave me great encouragement for my work and will even mention them in her next edition of Womens Bodies, Womens Wisdom releasing in June 2010 - highly recommend any books by DR Northrup.

I am busy developing and structuring the format for my Module 1 foundation bellydancebirth® workshop for birth atendants..originally I planned a two day weekend workshop but have decided to facilitate a one day instead as a starting point with emphasis on it being experential, cultural, alive and learning through "doing" and "being" rather than purely intellectual. Participants will have to get up and dance and be very involved..so really it has a large element of personal self development in its essence....I have many requests for the workshop especially NZ,USA, UK and Europe and am also speaking with the lovely Faye, midwife from Soulbirth regards a workshop or two in WA in August/September this year..

As many of you know my other vision is to put together a BellydanceBirth® Instructors Course leading to Certification in
Bellydance For Birth - The Al Musa Method®
so there will be classes available for pregnant mummas both here in Australia and internationally....this is a more involved idea so will keep it as a future vision whilst Aminah grows a little more! and I get more sleep!

So anyone who may be interested in hosting a BellydanceBirth® one day workshop please get in touch..I should have more details by beginning of April (and am also applying for MIDPLUS points in Australia)....

Also I will be faciltating a bellydancebirth® workshop at the 2010 Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival April 30th and I will have a stand with Heather Bruce from Easy Babies at the Homebirth Conference in May 2010 Echuca, VIC - see you there - this will be a very important Conference in regards to what the Australian Government is trying

So thats me for now.....let's hope this year the world will rise from any caos and we can continue to spread Peace on Earth..

1.10.09

Well finally my DVD has been released..getting lots of orders, interest and great feedback!!
My website is now fully updated and the DVD and BOOK can both be purchased online......remember I also do WHOLESALE ORDERS for those who have shops, online shops etc...just contact me for the wholesale conditions including freight ...
Next week we will begin our marketing campaign and send out press releases - trailer will follow in next couple of weeks....
Also Aminah will turn one on 10.10.!!! We made it through the first year alive and well!! She is a beautiful, smart, lively and v happy baby..always has been and is turning out to love dancing and entertaining people!!! Mmmm sounds familiar!!! (still feeding 2x a night so I am still in that lacto brain space!!)
BIG love to my online family and all friends who have supported my ongoing work..
I will be doing workshops in Sydney for pregnant mummas on 15th November, organised by the wonderful Amantha..thank you....
SEE CONTACT page for more details.......
I will be doing a session at the Tweed Midwives Study Day on 26th October.....

And I am also collating a list of interested women who would like to do my training in 2010/11....worldwide...I have so many requests for this....please leave your details on my contact/enquiry page....
Thank you and keep on dancing!!!
XXXXXXXXXX

21.08.09

I am back!!!! Its been awhile..thats what sleep deprivation and babies do...time slooowwss down!!

But I have been v busy...my MASTER disc for my new DVD;

Dance Of The Womb - A Gentle Guide To Belly Dance For Pregnancy And Birth -

has been sent to replicators and I should have 1000 discs in hand, both PAL and NTSC formats by my birthday September 5th all going to plan!

and then we will update my website so you can purchase them along with my book and Egyptian Coin Hip Scarves (from Egypt!)

I have also had endorsements from the National Association Of Childbirth Educators and the Australian Doula College which has been great....I am hoping to do a launch at the Australian Doula College on September 19th (see their website or page on Facebook)...and a workshop for pregnant mummas on November 15th at Terezka's studio..keep u posted......

I will also have a stall at the Mid North Coast Bellydance Festival Kempsey on Sunday 13th September selling book/DVD.....

The DVD has two main sections - the BellydanceBirth® exercise component and a 50 minute film of my homebirth at 46 set against a backdrop conversation with two midwives..it's very special I must say!!!..you can watch me in "real life" using the bellydance techniques in labour...and many more features...

Also if you are in Australia check out an article on PG115 of the latest edition Cosmopoliotan Pregnancy on my waterbirth...

and we have now got a NEW beautiful LOGO for BellydanceBirth® our new registered trademark thanks to my wonderful designer Bek....

Also women in Australia who are passionate about keeping birth choices open for all women will be dismayed to hear of the news that our Health Minister Nicola Roxon will outlaw homebirth with an independent midwife from July 1st 2010 because of insurance issues...this is an outrage....we must fight to STOP this legislation from passing..you can go to

www.homebirthaustralia.org
for up to date info....
So my little Aminah is walking steps at 10 months and a robust healthy girl with a loud voice and strong will!!! Still being breastfed and tasting lots of solids..loves fetta cheese and houmous - ahh my Mediterranean, brown eyed, auburn haired gal!! Love her deeply....but wish she would sleep for longer stretches!!
So until next time which I hope wont be as long love you all and thanks for your ongoing support..any enquiries etc pls contact me through my email or website contact form....and anyone interested in selling my book/DVD I will be supplying them at the same wholesale price as they both will retail at AUS$49.95..get in touch with me for prices...

GOD Bless..

10.4.09

Well here we are and Aminah has turned 6 months already...four teeth, crawling and started solids today!! I am still waking on average 3 x a night but secretly enjoy the cuddles and nursing knowing it wont last forever....(hardest is the 2 hour sleep stretches!!)

In regards to bellydance for birth - we have added another trademark/registerd name (still have Bellydance For Birth - The Al Musa Method TM)
to BellydanceBirth TM.....

which I like very much..working on a LOGO over next few months..

also I have been completing the DVD..(yes these things take time thru broken sleep etc!!) but we are getting there..just working on permissions for music, replication, editing, voice overs etc..I am happy with how it's turning out!! and hoping to title it

DANCE OF THE WOMB - A GENTLE STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO BELLY DANCE FOR PREGNANCY AND BIRTH -

Also I have some wonderful women organising "bellydancebirth TM pregnancy workshops" later in year in Brisbane and Sydney...I am going to gently return to teaching again from August and then into 2010 practitioner weekend training courses..I have definitely made it a pre requisite for this training weekend that participants have some sort of certificate in birthing (ie doula, midewqife, childbirth educator, fitness in pregnancy, hypnobirthing, calm birth etc) as the understanding of birth comes first then the belly dance aspect..

So I will keep you all posted on all developments..oh and book is still selling well!!! We may also have an event in Noosa Main Square later in year organised by Annie at Annie's Books....keep u posted bout that one too!!!!

26.1.09
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Another month has rolled by since my last entry and our beautiful daughter Aminah is another month older...(3 1/2months now)..She has just cut two bottom teeth already!!! and is rolling from back to front and front to back....she smiles and squeals and laughs so much and is such a joy to be around....her big, beautiful, wide brown eyes are so inquisitive and her gaze constantly draws people in ...my boys love her so much as we all do....
I am getting prepared to put my DVD together over the next couple of months too ..just have one more scene to film..that is Aminah and I dancing together!!
I have not had alot of time for my creative pursuits as motherhood demands 24/7 attention and committment..especially as I breastfeed on demand and wake up in the night to do so....!!! My partner is amazing and incredible...his help has been awesome and he has been such great support....I feel v blessed...

Will keep this page updated as we make progress....

24.12.08

Hi everyone

Wishing you all a wonderful Xmas..time of giving and sharing and looking within to acknowledge the blessings of the year...I have to say mine has been the birth of my beautiful little girl Aminah Anne...the light of my heart...she is a beauty!! My sons adore her and it is so special to see their protection, love and care toward her..and of course my very special partner Don..his first baby and the love in his eyes for his little Princess is heart warming.....he has been an amazing father and exceptional help through the day and night...bless him..

well to recap what a year!!!...book launched, DVD filmed, workshops, marketing Dance Of The Womb, growing a baby, giving birth and now the breastfeeding, broken sleep and all.......I sometimes cant believe I actually have had another baby!!..I guess I am in that snuggly, blurry, groggy!! time zone..thank goodness for Mother Nature wrapping us up in those hormones!!

Next year I hope to start back on board with my bellydance for birth TM workshops from May onward and start to plan the practitioner training course for 2010....already receiving so many requests from all over the world...it was also v special to send books to Shanghai China..possibly an opening there......and of course in the New Year I will be diligently working on putting our bellydance for birth TM DVD together....havent seen any footage since we did it so will be good to see it with fresh eyes and ideas....I am also considering putting together my birth DVD..have some great footage and photos......the third stage section could be a DVD alone...as we stayed in the water for about an hour afterward and then I delivered the placenta.....

So I will keep you posted on the 2009 progression........

have a great holiday!!

26.10.08

Just to let everyone know I had my beautiful baby GIRL!!! AMINAH ANNE on Friday

10.10.08 at 3.07pm at HOME in the WATER and a LOTUS birth..8lb 6oz

I am very happy..it was an intense experience - she was alot bigger than my boys but most rewarding at 46 years of age!!

And yes the bellydance for birth certainly aided and assisted me..keeping my breath anchored within my pelvis..the circling, rocking and swaying definetly gave me a point of contact thru the contractions...and reaffirmed the power that these movements have in aiding the birth experience....

I am now in baby land!! Adjusting to the newness of motherhood..its been awhile...the very hands on experience..sleep deprivation..breastfeeding etc etc..She is a very robust healthy little girl just gets some unsettled times with wind..so needs much attention...
and soothing rocking and being held....bellydance movements of course!!!

24.9.08

I am still pregnant and in week 37 (according to the original ultrasounds)..I am happy to be this far along and not have had my baby at 34 weeks like my first son....If I get past this weekend to the next or around the beginning of October I will be even happier!! We had a beautiful mixed blessing way yesterday with my partner and some other beautiful friends, both male and female..it was a v emotional, touching event..I now feel that I have done all my socialising!! and also we made a belly cast something I have wanted to do if I had another! Ahhh what a gift to have a baby at 46 and do all the things I missed out on before....all perfect...

we have finished filming me in my pregnant state for my DVD so will go into post production beginning of 2009..looks good...my partner Don has also made a lovely music clip of me dancing in rainforest at 30 weeks...will put it on this site as well as You Tube...hopefully v soon.....so off to finish washing the last of baby clothes and only two more biggish jobs left..pick up baby capsule and water pool!! and spend the rest of my time relaxing...oh and have had some fantastic acupuncture sessions.soooo great..will continue twicew a week till baby born and after..my motto is to "look after me this time!!".....

Keep u all posted when baby arrives.....xx

18.8.08

Had a good week last week as I approached 32 weeks pregnant..we managed to film for my bellydance for birth DVD!!! And despite a few wobbly spells under the bright, hot lights I managed to get through the whole shoot bringing the book to life..from the warm up section to the whole dance section....I was v happy with the footage although yet to see it on the big screen!!....Also my partner Don managed to get some lovely footage of me dancing in our rainforest amongst the sound of twigs crackling, frogs and crickets..with the sun filtering thru the tress after heavy rains..we are making a few music videos for the DVD also...keep u posted on a taste of this shoot on You Tube and my website.......
Unfortunately I had to cancel my prescence at the Sept NACE Conference as I need to be slowing down and focussing on having a baby!!! Not flying about at 36 weeks!!!...Glad to be having this time now to go inward and slow down.......

25.7.08

Well despite the torrential rain over the last few days and rumours that the whole Byron Bay Writers Festival was cancelled, my book launch still went ahead under cover in the Lakehouse...and what a heartfelt, beautiful launch it was ...with many of my wonderful women friends readings, my dancing and sharing, my babies soft, gentle kicks throughout, we had a very successful event with not a dry eye in the house as Jayne (my gorgeous, special homebirth midwife) launched DANCE OF THE WOMB into the Universe........thank you to everyone for coming through the rain and being there hand in hand to support my step into the birthing world from Byron Bay and Beyond.....xxx

19.7.08

Today I am 28 weeks pregnant!! Entering the third trimester..baby lolling about, moving, stretching etc...some cute tickly feelings!! Oh it is v nice to have been given the gift of experiencing all this again....I am feeling pretty good in general, just keeping a close eye on my iron stores....
This last week I had a meeting with my film crew re my 2009 DVD to be filmed next month....we are organising the format of the bellydance for birth DVD which is v exciting..basically we will follow the exercises in the book and add a few extra pieces of footage..but I wont disclose everything as yet!!

Next Friday I am launching at the Writers Festival 12-1.30pm which I am looking forward to...I think it will be quite an emotional event....but v happy to send my book out into the Universal thread of Life for all to have access to....
Getting many enquiries, orders etc from all over the world, step by step, all in good time...............

27.6.08
Back from Melbourne and I was right..it was v cold!!!!
But workshops went well and was v special to do them whilst pregnant myself...I also managed to go to some bookshops peddling my book!! and got great response and sales.....AND I bought myself some great warm, stretchy maternity pants..v comfy..so it was all worthwhile to go down!!
Now that I am back home I am busy starting to seriously promote and market my book.....and look forward to launching at the Byron Bay Writers Festival on July 25th....

www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au

18.6.08

I am leaving for Melbourne today at 23 weeks pregnant to run some bellydance for birth TM workshops thru The Belly Belly Pregnancy Centre...I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge with Melburnians!! my old home town..I wonder how cold it is going to be!!??

3.6.08

What a very special weekend attending the Birth, Breatsfeeding and Beyond Conference in Brisbane....it was such a delight giving my presentation and a real honour and priveledge to sit side by side with Dr Michel Odent, a wonderful man/DR and sign our respective books together!!
I want to presonally say a big thank you to Jan Cornfoot and her lovely family from Capers Bookstore for all their hard work, organisation and delightful prescence at the Conference..I feel it was a great success...
Pictures to follow....

Am moving house this week in the rain!!!...a big job trying to stay calm and centred at 21 weeks pregnant....but all good....then off to Melbourne workshops on 18th - 23rd June.......

www.bellybelly.com.au/bellydance

30.5.08

Well I am entering 21 weeks pregnant and all is well.....feeling pretty good....just tired by days end..all normal!!

Today I leave for Brisbane to present bellydance for birth at DR Michel Odents Australian tour sponsored by Capers Bookstore....looking forward to my presentation and I will take some of my first airfreighted 50 printed books up as well...keep u all posted on the outcome...

AND the ship arrived yesterday with my 2000 books!!! and will clear in next two weeks so we are on schedule for June release...v exciting...lots of interest and orders.......the book looks very beautiful..I am v impressed with my designer Bec from dolores cupcake and the printers...

Love to everyone......

9.5.08

18 weeks pregnant tomorrow....I have made it through the nausea and all day sickness (shifted at 16 weeks) just like my son Tariq...I was so worried that it would last the whole nine months!!!

I am in the process of moving house, back to my friend Premala Devi's beautiful property Serene Earth Sanctuary, just outside of Byron Bay..the same place my son, Tariq was born!! Its amazing how life takes us to the perfect places!!

We are inching closer to my book arriving, end June and I have had so many emails, world wide interest and pre orders...I feel the time is right for women to embrace this information..so many wonderful women working toward conscious birthing..it is v reassuring....as DR Michel Odent says, if you want to learn about birth and mothering ask the mothers!!!
I will be presenting at his Brisbane tour on 31st May, doing a small stint presenting bellydance for birth, which I am v grateful for..thank you to Jan at CAPERS BOOKSTORE......for all further info on this Birth, Breastfeeding and Beyond Conference Tour please go to

http://www.capersbookstore.com.au/events/bbb.htm

8.4.08
Well I am moving through the nausea thank goodness and am now 13 1/2weeks pregnant..It was lovely to see our little bean last week with heartbeat at 159bpm and 6.5cm long and all good on the nuchal scan..

I am in the process of organising 3 x workshops in Melbourne and we now have set dates:

June 19 - 21st from 10-12.30pm at

BellyBelly Pregnancy Centre in Canterbury
$150pp includes lunch and photo

For more information and bookings please go to www.bellybelly.com.au/bellydance

18.03.08

How life can change..I have some exciting news albeit a bit of a surprise....I am currently 10 weeks pregnant with baby no. 3!!! due 10.10.08...or thereabouts...At 45 this has been a natural conception..must be all that belly dance for pregnancy I get up to!! (as well as sugar/gluten free diet)...

So some plans have changed..and due to the incredible awful nausea and sickness I have been having I am on slow time at the moment!! I had plans to do lots of pregnancy workshops and birth practitioner workshops this year and next....but have had to modify my schedule despite many enquiries....

I still hope to come to Melbourne and Sydney in June/July..this will be the only window of time to do some pregnancy workshops/classes .... and then we may have to wait again till after mid 2009....

I am also hoping to make a very simple, beginners introduction to bellydance for birth DVD in my 7/8th month (August/Sept)..basically following my book format...with hopefully some footage of me having a homebirth at 46!!...that is the goal but I remain OPEN to all possibilities...

And not forgetting that my book Dance of the Womb will be available June 2008..the e book is no longer available we are just taking orders for the updated, hard copy version which is looking great...Dance of the Womb also just received an endorsement from the National Association of Childbirth Educators Inc (Aus), which was very exciting and encouraging.....

So this is our latest news..any enquiries dont hesitate to email me at maha@bellydanceforbirth.com

Blessings to you all.....xx

10.2.2008

It seems as though the request for a bellydance for birth TM DVD is gathering momentum so that is my project for this year...once the hard copy book is out a DVD is next on the agenda....I have been mulling over this idea/format/content for awhile now and it seems I must bring it to fruition!!!

16.1.08

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE...MAY 2008 BE AN UPLIFTING, INSPIRING YEAR FOR ALL MUMMAS AND BABIES WISHING FOR CONSCIOUS BIRTHING....

Well there are many ideas on the boil already this year and I am very focused on getting the practical side of bellydance for birth TM out across the country (and eventually OS).

I am developing two types of workshops for my future circuit......

One type will specifically be for pregnant women -

- a two hour workshop "Introduction to Bellydance For Birth TM for pregnant women" -

AND

- a four hour workshop "Birth Speak and Belly Dance For BirthTM for pregnant women" -

The second type will be a - "Two Day Belly Dance For Birth TM Birth Practitioners Workshop" - this will be specifically tailored for women who already work in the birthing arena (midwives/doulas/childbirth educators etc) who would like some practical information on how they can assist women through pregnancy and labour with belly dance as a wonderful, practical tool. This workshop will be designed to give information that gives women an understanding of the deeper "feminine" aspects of birth in their relation to the sacredness of active dance birth...so it can be seen from the perspective of 'Active Birth At Its Most Feminine'.....I am planning to co create with a v experienced midwife on this project and there will be a booklet and educational DVD accompanying this workshop..I will keep u all posted on developments........

If anyone would like more information on the workshops please contact me and I can begin to develop a touring schedule...

My second edition copy/draft of Dance Of The Womb has been given to a copy editor for review and will be in the hands of my book designer in the next week and to the printers by mid to end February!! Release date by end of May beginning of June 2008..I am v excited to be able to offer the book as a hard copy this year....

Lots to do...

blessings to you all

maha

17.12.07

Wow the end of the year is approaching and here at bellydance for birth TM we have had a very productive second half of 2007 since the launch of our website and e book, with enquiries and interest from all over the world!!

I am busy re designing and fine tuning my book Dance of the Womb scheduled for printing to hard copy in February 2008, hopefully available from May 2008 which is very exciting news....my wish is to be able to print my book in many different languages and take my work around the world spreading this beautiful prenatal and birthing tool for all women....

I have also applied to speak at next years NACE (National Association of Chilbirth Educators) Conference in Melbourne September 2008..I will let you all know the outcome of my application.

And I wish to let everyone know about a wonderful film I saw recently called "Birth As We Know It' by Russian filmaker Elena Tonetti, beautifully put together promoting concious birthing..amazing scenes of women birthing in warm water lagoons juxtaposed with women breastfeeding their babies in snow covered fields!! Also appreciated Elena's comments about "spiralling' in the birth experience..highly recommended....

Wishing everyone a Merry Xmas and happy and prosperous 2008!!!

Warm Wishes and Blessings

Maha

8.11.07

Well what a fantastic Homebirth Conference in Sydney! It was great to meet all the wonderful women, midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, mums and bubs!! A big thank you to Jo Hunter, Daikini Productions, Justine Caines and all the organisers who created a wonderful event...

Finally I met Sheila Kitzinger which was lovely and she told me that in England she has a friend who comes to her house and they bellydance in the garden together!! Such an inspiring woman who has been tireless in her work for women and birth....

The highlight of her talks for me was when she spoke about the "knitted uterus and knitted bosoms and nipples"..that she had to use once whilst trying to demonstrate breastfeeding... she had gotton so fed up with the little knitted arrangements that she told us all "here why not use the real thing" and went to pull out her own REAL breast to demonstrate with....it was v cute and funny!!

And of course it was a great honour for me to be able to present bellydance for birth TM outside of Byron Bay for the first time...I didnt expect the whole room of about 250 women to ALL stand up and dance with me...that was a beautiful sight..the hall became one big meditative energy field....it was perfect...

The response was very inspiring and positive from so many women after my presentation...I will continue my work in spreading this wonderful modality for all women.....

Dr Gowri Motha, a beautiful gentle soul, got v excited after my presentation and told me she may be creating a red tent in London and that I would be a star in London and the Goddess of the Tent!!!....that was v sweet..well we were all on a high..all that WOMEN POWER!!!
Ricki Lake's film and talk were also v informative and the US birthing system seems v disturbing...all the more for all of us to keep doing our best to achieve women centred birthing....

So thank you again to everybody involved....and all the women I had the chance to meet...so many.......Renee Adair of Australian doulas,doing a fabulous job of doula training and special mention goes to Vicki Chan, a wonderful midwife from Sunshine Coast, whose heartfelt presentation, passion and DVD's are greatly appreciated....thank you Vicki that we finally did get together!!....

me and guest speakers .........

Sheila Kitzinger Ricki Lake Dr Gowri Motha

29.10.07

Well not long to go now..I am getting excited and nervous to be presenting at the Homebirth Conference on this weekend in Sydney, Australia.

A great article in the Sun-Herald quoting Sheila Kitzinger (who is guest speaker at Conference) and her major concerns about Australian birthing practices was well put:

'The system is focused more on the needs of doctors than the needs of women'.

Its wonderful to see so many women worldwide having their voices heard in the mainstream regarding birth practices. It is so important that we all keep up the great work of promoting women - centred birthing and informed choice and questionning very high caesarean rates and their necessity.

Justine Caines, mother of six children all born at home, is a very passionate woman in the arena of childbirth and has started a political group entitled What Women Want...You can join this party by going to:

www.whatwomenwant.org.au

Keep up the amazing work!!

16.10.07

I am in the process of finding a printer to print "Dance of The Womb" as a hard copy book. The interest I am receiving has been very uplifting and requests for a hard copy are mounting. As soon as I am able to organise this I will let all of you know. If anyone has a recommendation for a printing firm that publishes books please email me....

13.10.07

On Saturday night I had the pleasure of dancing at Jain's 50th Birthday party - it was a real treat as Jain is a Lebanese man who dances with great passion and we had a lovely arabic style dance together -

Maha dancing at Jain's 50th

- love the atmospheric pic by Don -

4.10.2007

Maha Al Musa will be one of the guest speakers at the National Homebirth Conference, Sydney, Australia presenting bellydance for birth TM on November 3rd and 4th.

PROMOTIONAL ARTICLES IN PRINT

Spring 2007