Virtual or in-person private yoga sessions focus on enhancing function of pelvic muscles through breath, movement and mindful awareness. A private yoga session can address pelvic health concerns as well as optimize functioning to prevent future issues. I specialize in helping people with symptoms of pelvic pain and tension learn ways to calm the nervous system and relax tense muscles to break the pain-tension-anxiety cycle.
- Yoga mobilizes and balances the muscles in the pelvis
- Yoga uses breath to cultivate awareness and coordination in the pelvic muscles
- 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 (e.g. low back pain, hip pain, SI joint pain, endometriosis, menstrual pain)
- Perineal pain (e.g. vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia, coccydynia)
- Painful bladder (interstitial cystitis)
- Pain with intercourse
- Pain with menstruation
- Urinary incontinence (leakage, frequency, and/or urgency)
- Chronic constipation
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
Prior assessment by a pelvic health physiotherapist (particularly if there are any of the concerns identified above) is helpful, but not always required. Intake will include a self-assessment of pelvic health which will flag issues for follow up by a health care provider. Yoga can be especially helpful with maintenance after pelvic health physiotherapy treatment is completed. No yoga experience is necessary. A private yoga session includes breathing exercises, simple yoga movements for body and pelvic muscle 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 intercourse 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 muscles. The incontinence has improved and I can enjoy sex again."
To learn more about the role of the pelvic muscles in wellness, please read my article with references.
Contact me to book your no obligation, no charge 15-minute consultation by phone or Zoom!
Private Sessions Services and Fees Menu
Registration Form for Yoga for Pelvic Wellness
My YouTube videos:
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
Bedtime (or Anytime!) Pelvic Tension Release
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)
Yoga for Pelvic Floor Disorders - New Studies Suggest Yoga Can Help Prevent Incontinence
Pelvic Pain:
How a Trauma-Sensitive Approach Can Help People with Pelvic Pain
What can happen when a nervous system gets too sensitive? (My article about central sensitization)
Pelvic floor muscle tenderness on digital palpation among women: convergent validity with central sensitization This 2021 study showed that tenderness in pelvic floor muscles is related to a sensitive nervous system. This is important because it means that strictly focusing on manual therapy to 'correct' or 'release' pelvic floor tension is missing the underlying cause, be it trauma, anxiety, shame or other psychological factors that put the nervous system in a protective mode.
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
5 Simple Yoga Moves for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Relief
General Pelvic Health Resources:
Link to my YouTube playlist: Resources for Pelvic Health
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 Support Canada - Information, resources, shop and membership site
Pelvic Health Professionals membership site - Resources for professionals and the public, including articles and podcast interviews
The Happy Pelvis - Iinformation and advocacy resources to people with pelvic pain.