There are mucho reasons why women exercise during pregnancy, including less weight gain for mom and baby, higher moods, and possibly even an easier delivery. But not all moms are comfortable bopping around the gym with a basketball for a midriff, so prenatal exercise classes like low-impact aerobics and yoga are more popular than ever.

Starting in June, Destination Maternity, 16010 W. Bluemound Rd., will offer another alternative for moms-to-be: prenatal belly dancing.

Prenatal belly dancing classes at Destination Maternity run from $12-16 per class, or a 10-class pass for $100. During the month of June, classes will be held on Tuesdays from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Belly dancing strengthens abdominal muscles, vaginal muscles, pelvic floor muscles and the birth canal, all of which can greatly improve childbirth. It also increases a woman's center of gravity and balance, resulting in better posture that strengthens the lower back and helps keep weight evenly spread throughout the body.

According to Destination Maternity's Michelle Dutille, a woman can safely belly dance at any time during her pregnancy.

"The instructor can help each woman cater the class to her needs, flexibility and comfort level. The exercises are all similar, they just depend on what she is capable of doing and what stage her pregnancy is in," says Dutille.

Belly dancing is a low-impact exercise and a cardiovascular workout that burns unneeded calories (possibly accrued during late-night ice cream binges?) and helps keep a pregnant woman stay in the targeted weight gain bracket. Plus, it's a fun way to celebrate and enjoy the expanding belly.

"The combination of physical benefits for the mom along with the music and opportunity to interact with other expectant mothers makes prenatal belly dancing the perfect activity," says Dutille.

For more information about prenatal belly dancing (and postnatal belly dancing, too), call (262) 786-9872.