by Jennifer Byard
I’ve heard moms in all of my circles bemoaning “I really need to get back into shape but I just can’t stand the thought of a gym or running”. I felt the same way after my first child was born. I had been surviving for months on four non-consecutive hours of sleep and anything other than plunking down on the couch with a bowl of ice cream didn’t sound appealing in the slightest. But, I was unhappy and I had to do something, so I pulled out my ghillies and hardshoes and got dancing.
I’ve always loved Irish dancing, but it wasn’t until after having kids that I realized what an ideal post baby workout it was, and best of all? It didn’t feel like drudgery. Almost everyone has seen Michael Flatley and the entourage of beautiful, toned women leaping effortlessly around the stage. You don’t have to be a professional dancer to have a dancer’s body.
Irish dance is amazing cardio. Try running in place as fast as you can for 5 minutes and you start to see its potential. It’s also strength training. Calves, thighs, bottom and abs are all targeted during Irish dance. Hey, aren’t those all the pesky post partum areas we want to fix? You bet!
Let’s talk about the stress moms are under. Irish dance turns out to be the perfect antidote for mom-stress as well. Irish music is upbeat, and combining exercise with the mind clearing and stress relieving effects of music is just what I need to erase a hard day. I’ll admit, on the days when my kids have been driving me up the wall, it feels really good to stomp it out Irish dancing after they’re in bed.
Speaking of my kids, my almost four year old daughter and toddler son are both into Irish dance, too. It’s an activity that’s easy for the whole family to get into (my husband tries it too!) and what’s better than exercising with your kids? You all have fun and it shows them the importance of family fitness and no special equipment is required in the beginning. I still do most of my dancing barefoot in my living room!
From the time they were babies, I held my kids and danced with them to Irish music. They LOVED it and would squeal for more. Remember how I talked about Irish dance being a good workout? Ok, now try it holding a 20 pound weight! As toddlers, they loved bouncing along to the beat of the music and doing that hilarious signature “toddler dance”. Now my daughter tries some steps herself and will yell out things like “Hey, that’s a hornpipe!” when the music changes. I love it!
This spring I’m hoping to share my passion for introducing all ages to Irish dancing as I teach a new “Parent-Tot Irish Dance” class with the Champaign Park District. If you’ve never tried Irish dance before, this is the perfect opportunity to try it out in a fun and relaxed environment with other parents and introduce even your youngest kids to the fun and exercise of Irish dance as well!
Jennifer has been Irish dancing for the past 10 years and will be teaching a new Parent-Tot Irish Dance class with the Champaign Park District beginning Spring 2013. A former civil engineer and C-U native, Jennifer lives in Urbana with her husband Greg and is currently enjoying life as a stay at home mom to daughter Éireann and son Brendan.