If you live with hypertonic (overactive) pelvic floor dysfunction you've probably started working with wands or dilators to release the tension of your pelvic floor muscles. You’ve probably also seen, or heard from your physio, that practicing yoga can help tremendously with pelvic floor dysfunction, since it helps to stretch and relax the pelvic floor muscles, as well as helps to decrease stress.
By combining your wand work with pelvic floor yoga you can see amazing results while creating a deeper connection with yourself and your body.
5 reasons why you should practice Pelvic Floor Yoga before using your wand/dilator to help relieve your pelvic pain:
It increases blood flow to the area Any movement of any body part increases blood flow to that part, which increases oxygen, hence blood flow equals healing.
It stretches the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles When working with your pelvic floor dysfunction you have to work with your entire body, for example: Your pelvic floor is connected to your feet via fascia Your inner thighs connect to your pelvic floor Many people living with pelvic floor dysfunction also hold tension in other parts of their body - jaw, shoulders, belly. When you see a pelvic phsyio they most likely assess other parts of your body as well, not just your pelvic floor, because it is all interconnected.
It will help you connect with your diaphragmatic breathing (SUPER IMPORTANT!)
Many of us, with or without pelvic floor dysfunction, but especially those of us with pelvic floor dysfunction, only breathe into the upper chest. When you are breathing you want to be able to take diaphragmatic breaths, because your pelvic floor moves with your diaphragm (or, at least it wants to). When you inhale your diaphragm expands but also descends, and your pelvic floor descends with it - as the diaphragm contracts with the exhale the pelvic floor ascends.
You and your beautiful body will feel more safe
Many of us feel stress around working with our wand/dilators because perhaps you feel frustrated or angry with your body - and you going straight into working with your tools when in that stressed state or in a less than ideal headspace, your body will not be as receptive to the work.
By regulating your nervous system through mindful movement and breathwork your body will come into a more relaxed state and your pelvic floor muscles will find it easier to relax and let go of the tension.
You will notice a sense of greater trust in your body
Your body is capable of amazing things, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
You will increase your body awareness, which will help decrease your pain because you will have a better understand of your body.
Now, how can you incorporate Pelvic Floor Yoga into your wand/dilator routine? Here are some things you can do before to support your pelvis and to relieve your pain: Lie on your back, feet flat on the floor, place your hands on your lower belly and breathe into the pelvic bowl Lie on your back and invite in some hip circles, moving with the breath Take a Child's pose while focusing on breathing into your pelvis
Just to mention a few!
If you want to know more about how Pelvic Floor Yoga can help you, check out the Pelvic Health Yoga membership. Come join us for weekly virtual classes, or just go at your own pace through the on-demand options.
All my love, Penny
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