Private yoga classes focus on enhancing function of pelvic floor muscles through breath, movement and awareness.
- Yoga mobilizes and balances the muscles in the pelvic floor
- Yoga uses breath to cultivate awareness and coordination in the pelvic floor
- Yoga postures promote circulation and flexibility of the muscles and connective tissues
- Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system, relieving symptoms that are caused by stress or pain
Pelvic health concerns that can be addressed with yoga:
- Pelvic girdle pain (including low back pain, SI joint pain, endometriosis, vulvodynia)
- Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis)
- Painful sex
- Urinary incontinence (leakage and/or urgency)
- Constipation
- Prolapse
- Diastasis recti
A private yoga class can prevent or address pelvic floor health issues. Prior assessment by a pelvic floor physiotherapist (particularly if there are any of the concerns identified above) is helpful, but not always required. Intake will include a self-assessment of the pelvic floor which will flag issues for follow up by a health care provider. Yoga can be especially helpful with maintenance after pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment is completed. No yoga experience is necessary. A private yoga class includes breathing exercises, simple yoga moves for body and pelvic floor awareness, and education. Privacy and discretion are assured.
Some personal stories:
"A few years ago, I received pelvic floor physiotherapy for stress incontinence. I have faithfully done the prescribed exercises every day and this did help my symptoms. I just finished Yoga for Pelvic Wellness sessions which reinforced, complemented and augmented what I learned from physiotherapy. I have found that my stress incontinence has much improved by adding these tools to what I learned from physiotherapy. For example, I can now wear a smaller pad. Yoga for Pelvic Wellness taught me far more than I ever learned in my studies and my profession as a registered nurse".
"I suffered from painful sex and stress incontinence for years before I learned about pelvic floor physiotherapy. When I finally saw a physiotherapist, it was such a relief to find out that the problem was too much tension in my pelvic floor and not in my head. Yoga helps me relax and stretch my pelvic floor muscles. The incontinence has improved and I can enjoy sex again."
To learn more about the role of the pelvic floor in wellness, please read my article with references.
Private Classes Services and Fees Menu
Registration Form for Online Class - Yoga for Pelvic Wellness
YouTube videos:
Private Yoga Classes for Female Pelvic Wellness with Kathleen
You Do Know Squat! (squat modifications)
Toilet Tips for a Happy Pelvic Floor
To Kegel or Not to Kegel: That is the Question
Help for Urinary Urgency & Frequency
Links to more information:
Urinary Incontinence:
New Guidelines Recommend Conservative Care for Urinary Incontinence (my article about the April 2020 SOGC Guidelines)
Yoga as Treatment for Urinary Incontinence (Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute)
Pelvic Pain:
Recent Study Shows Yoga Effective in Reducing Menstrual Pain (Dysmenorrhea)
The Practice of Hatha Yoga for the Treatment of Pain Associated with Endometriosis (2017)
How Yoga Can Help Heal Pelvic Pain (2019 Pelvic Health Summit)
Study: Lower Back Pain & Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (2018)
Self-management strategies to consider to combat endometriosis symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic
General Pelvic Health Resources:
Interview with Carolyn Vandyken, Physiotherapist and Founder of Pelvic Health Solutions
Resources for Creating Pelvic Floor Health through Yoga compiled by Shelly Prosko, Physiotherapist and Yoga Therapist
Yoga and Mindfulness for Pelvic Health (Physiopedia)
Pelvic Health Professionals membership site - Resources for professionals and the public, including articles and podcast interviews