When I was struggling through the first couple weeks postpartum, my mom recommended I do something that I used to do in the “before times” to make myself feel normal. The frustrating thing was that I wasn’t supposed to be doing a lot of (or any, really) physical activity, which meant I couldn’t lift or dance—two things that make me feel grounded. I did start going for walks after 2 weeks, which really helped a lot, and I started the postpartum program before my OBGYN cleared me to exercise because the program was literally just breathing and maybe a slow glute bridge and some clams, which seemed safe.

That particular sequence—glute bridges followed by clams—is something I do in my Default Warmup(tm) and it felt so oddly comforting. Later, in dance class, we did a plie to standing in the warmup, another movement I’ve done for years. It was amazing how these familiar movement patterns really did make me feel like myself again. It linked me to all the other times I’ve done them: my workouts at home and at 5×3, all the dance workshops I’ve taken, all the dance classes I’ve both taken and taught. The person I was before, am now, and will become…because I’ll probably be glute bridging through the rest of my life.

Leave it to me to discover the psychological (and spiritual) value of ritual and repetitive movement through working out. 😛

BTW—I am resisting the urge to dump the PP program and just get back under the barbell. I’m doing my best to follow everybody’s advice and get my pelvic floor and core back in shape. I’ve always been aware of my core but “what if my uterus falls out?!” is a whole ‘nother level of awareness. 😛 I do notice my transverse abs more often now, even in movements I hadn’t thought about before such as raising arms overhead. My beloved glute bridges are a new experience as I make an effort to activate those abs in addition to the glutes and hams. Much stability, very support. I see why everybody goes on about this. 😛