By Ada Wright, DOMP

Yoga was very popular a few years ago. And while it might not command the same level of obsession and fix-it-all powers it used to seem to possess, there is so much to a yoga practice that can help anyone as they move through the world, and certainly in particular for those who possess unique challenges or experience pain as part of their daily lives. 

Some of the ways in which yoga can have a positive effect on pain, and in particular pelvic pain, is by increasing the mind-body connection, improved flexibility and range of motion, overall stress reduction, strengthening core muscles, encouraging better posture and the list goes on and on. 

Pelvic pain is a particular journey and requires a different approach for every individual. 

When the system goes awry, we know there are many different things that can be affecting it. But we also know that there are some principles of physiology that we can ascribe to in the way we try to help ourselves. And a balanced yoga practice, inherently speaks to all of these practices and can provide a tangible way to move forward when things seem confusing or slow-moving. 

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a practice of breathing, movement, and awareness, and I would add, acceptance. All things necessary for recreating health in our bodies. If we are in pain, we can still breathe. If we are able to move, we can find ways to move without pain. And then we can expand those things. An informed compassionate yoga teacher can help guide you. And Yoga itself can help us improve our relationship with ourselves which is the very foundation upon which we build our body’s health. 

How can Yoga help my Pelvic Pain Pelvic?

In a yoga class designed to keep pelvic pain management in mind (the Hatha style of yoga is generally a good place to start) you can use the tools of yoga to help improve your experience in your body. Simple but profound, breathing practices (pranayama) can help build vitality in your system while increasing the connection between your respiration process and your pelvis, (your lumbo-sacral rhythm) and increase your body’s ability to relax even in difficult times. Gentle movement is both a caring way to approach your body and important for how your body functions. 

When we are in pain, the simplest root is to shut down and to protect our physical selves. This can be a useful tool at some points in the journey, but learning to move, to engage with your body, and then ultimately how to relax it, will allow you to feel more connected to, and in touch with, your whole system. The body has self-healing mechanisms and part of what we do here is to learn to listen. Yoga can provide a space to do that. Good luck!