Why do issues like prostate problems (for men), prolapse (for women), incontinence, and pelvic pain disorders become increasingly common as we get older? And, is there anything we can do to prevent or slow this process?
In this 4-part course (two lectures and two yoga practice videos), yoga teacher and yoga therapist Leslie Howard will discuss common male and female pelvic floor disorders and how yoga can offer an avenue to prevent these.
Loss of muscle tone gets increasingly common as we get older, and since our daily activities (and fitness programs) don’t usually address the pelvic floor, this part of the body is particularly vulnerable to problems. The pelvic floor muscles span the bottom of the pelvis, i.e. the bony structure that forms the very center of our physical frame. As the pelvic floor weakens, it no longer provides adequate support for the organs of the abdomen and loses the ability to maintain proper functions.
As a result, incontinence and pelvic pain are common to both men and women as they get older. Other problems that may be related to the health of the pelvic floor include lumbar spinal problems, sacroiliac, hip or sciatic pain, bladder weakness, prolapsed uterus or bladder, and for men, prostate issues.
As Leslie will demonstrate in this course, yoga offers numerous techniques to strengthen and balance the pelvic floor. A strong and healthy pelvic floor isn’t just about avoiding physical problems, it is also about preserving a strong sense of core integrity and power. The pelvic floor muscles play an important role as part of the body’s core system, contributing to core stabilization during movement.
The pelvic floor powerfully influences many aspects of our lives, yet its significance is often underestimated and misunderstood. For many of us there can be numerous social and cultural taboos associated with this area and a degree of embarrassment when talking about it. In the last few decades, however, research on both the male and female pelvic floor has made it abundantly clear how important these muscles are to our health and vitality – and the surprising impact they can have on pelvic pain, prostate health, sexual dysfunction, and urinary issues.
What You Will Learn
- New research on the role of the male and female pelvic floor in healthy aging
- The different types of pelvic floor disorders that affect men and women and how to know if you’re predisposed
- How the pelvic floor muscles play a key role as part of the body’s core stabilization system together with the transverse abdominus and the multifidus muscles
- What the difference is between an overly tight (hypertonic) and weak (hypotonic) pelvic floor and how to assess it
- Why Kegel exercises aren’t enough for total pelvic health and might even be counterproductive
- The relationship between the pelvic floor, the abdominals, and posture
- The energetics of the pelvic floor and its role in the body’s overall energy system
- How pelvic floor integrity can be affected by breath and emotions
- Key principles of how yoga can help balance and strengthen the integrity of the pelvic floor and the body’s core system as a whole
This Course ALSO Includes:
- Yoga Practice Videos: Two yoga practice videos – one for women and one for men. Learn how to target and tone the pelvic floor muscles in a balanced and holistic way.
- Recordings of Both Sessions: Yours to keep. It’s generally acknowledged that many people only retain 10-20 percent of what they learn in a workshop. You will get access to the recordings of both sessions (MP3 – downloadable & MP4 – streaming online), enabling you to go back and listen to the workshop as many times as you like.
- Transcripts of LectureSessions: Ever wanted to refer to a certain part of a course? Even the best note takers miss a point every so often. With the transcripts of the sessions, you can go back and refer to particularly important passages or clarify sections you were in doubt about.
This course qualifies for 3.5 CEs with Yoga Alliance.
