Let’s face it, we don’t talk enough about the pelvic floor. This hidden network of muscles plays a crucial role in everything from bladder control to sexual function, yet it often gets neglected until issues arise. But what if there was a fun, accessible way to support your pelvic floor? While yoga might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about pelvic health, it offers a wealth of benefits for this often-overlooked area. Let’s focus on some of the benefits of yoga tailored to pelvic floor health.
1. Gentle toning
Many yoga poses engage and activate the pelvic floor muscles, subtly toning and improving their coordination. Powerful standing poses like the variations of the Warrior or Triangle can focus on the pelvic floor with great success.
2. Mindfulness and Breathwork:
Yoga emphasizes mindfulness, which can be incredibly beneficial for pelvic floor health. Stress and tension can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, and the mindful breathing practices in yoga can help you relax and release tension, leading to improved pelvic floor function. Furthermore, our breath is very much linked to the pelvic floor and can be used to access and rebalance these muscles.
3. Body Awareness:
Yoga helps you tune into your body and become more aware of subtle sensations. This can be particularly helpful for identifying and engaging your pelvic floor muscles, allowing you to target them more effectively in specific poses.
4. Improved Flexibility and Mobility:
Tightness in surrounding muscles like the hips and hamstrings can put extra strain on the pelvic floor. Yoga stretches and poses can help improve flexibility and mobility in these areas, creating a more balanced and supportive environment for your pelvic floor.
5. Reduced Pain:
Pelvic pain can be caused by various factors, including pelvic floor muscles that are too tight. Certain yoga poses can help alleviate pain by gently stretching the pelvic floor, improving blood flow, and promoting relaxation.
6. Enhanced Sexual Function:
Optimal pelvic floor tone can contribute to better sexual function and pleasure. Yoga poses that engage the pelvic floor can help improve blood flow, sensation, and muscle control, leading to a more fulfilling experience.
7. Suitable for All Levels:
The beauty of yoga is its adaptability. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a complete beginner, there are poses and modifications suitable for your level and fitness.
Related articles:
Pelvic Floor Paradox: When “Strong” Isn’t Always Good
Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash
