Pelvic Floor Health

Yoga is a form of medicine, and tonight’s class focus will be on improving pelvic floor strength. If you’ve never thought about (or heard about) your pelvic floor, here are a few reasons what, why, and how yoga helps with pelvic floor issues.

The pelvic floor consists of 16 muscles as well as foundationally important ligaments and nerves.

It’s the very base of our core muscles, and supports the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum.

Affects WOMEN and MEN. In men, it’s often misdiagnosed as prostatitis and may result in erectile dysfunction. (50% of all women to some degree, and 10-15% of men).

Strong pelvic floor muscles help control the bladder, bowels and improve sex (both genders). Also helps stabilize the pelvis and spine (balance)… we wanna keep this area strong as we age!

The state of the glutes is a window into what the pelvic floor looks like. Weak glutes are a sign the pelvic floor is too tight in one direction only. (in hypertonic state, urinary frequency, interstitial cystitis, IBS, painful intercourse, lower back pain)

For many, the problem is that some of the muscles in our pelvic floor are too tight: Hypertonic: resulting in urge incontinence- This is where yoga comes into play… the muscles need to learn to relax thru specific exercises which promote relaxation & deep breathing techniques which positively affect the pelvic floor.

There’s also a hypotonic (weak muscles) state many people have. That leads to leakage with no warning and is often improved with core strengthening (which can be achieved through your workouts and also through yoga).

Because of the complex workings of the pelvic floor, the body needs to re-learn to self-regulate and it can do this through exercises that BOTH STRENGTHEN AND RELAX the pelvic floor.

If you have experienced any of these things, there’s a high probability that your pelvic floor could use some TLC:

Pregnancy, sitting too much, lack of exercise, surgery (use it or lose it)

Some people actually have overly tight pelvic floors from bad posture or sitting too much. Overly tight in one “way” makes it weak in all the other ways it moves.

Other people have an imbalanced pelvic floor because they always cross the same leg or stand putting majority of weight on the same leg or always using a dominant leg (like a soccer player)

Ultimately, poor pelvic floor tone will lead to bladder leakage, digestive problems, back pain, and poor posture.

A healthy pelvic floor is also linked to better balance and bladder health….. especially as we age.

Yoga is functional medicine friends. Come tonight and get your stretch on! Message me for details if you’re local and would like to come. Walk-ins are always welcome, and no experience is necessary!

xoxo~ liz

PS: Essential oils that you may find helpful for pelvic floor spasms include AromaSiez, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Ylang ylang, Clary Sage, Geranium, Cypress, Lemongrass (DILUTE heavily with a carrier oil… it’s a hot one!). Apply to the lower area of the abdomen as needed.