ANAT402 Yoga Therapy and the Pelvic Floor

Principles: Sattva Yoga Therapy Modules (Yoga Therapist)

Yoga Therapy and the Pelvic Floor

ANAT402

Unveil the power of your foundation! The pelvic floor sets the foundation for healthy movement, happy relationships and a feeling of safety and wholeness. Yet no other part of the body is as shrouded in taboos as the pelvic floor. This weekend workshop will interweave the wisdom of western anatomy and research along with the ancient practices of Ayurveda and yoga. This blending is a powerful combination to heal pelvic dis-ease. The workshop will provide information about key structures in the pelvic floor, common dysfunctions including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain, while linking the information to yoga postures, breath awareness, diet and meditation. Come peak through the veil and emerge more empowered!

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

Understand:

· Key structures of the pelvic floor

· Common dysfunctions including urinary incontinence

· Yoga therapies for prolapse, urinary incontinence and pelvic pain.

Explain:

· The differences in therapeutic approach with a client with hypertonic versus hypotonic pelvic floor issues through the panchamaya model.

Describe:

· How a client’s relationship with the pelvic floor impacts the whole body, how different structural issues impact the function of the pelvic floor.

Define:

Key structures of the pelvic floor, hypertonicity, hypotonicity

Required reading: Pelvic Liberation: Using Yoga, Self-inquiry, and Breath Awareness for Pelvic Health by Leslie Howard.

Materials to bring: A tennis ball, 5-inch ball, standard yoga props (2 blocks, 2 blankets (or 1 blanket and 1 bolster), and strap).

Course Completion Requirements: Attending and participating in the course module (or completing makeup assignments given by the teacher). Practice the pelvic floor protocols connecting to pain in the low back, hips, and upper leg. Utilize the modifications and meditations learned within this class to create a one-hour yoga session. Practice within your home practice or on friend/family. We will use the Yoga Therapy assessment tool to describe your client, sequence and modifications needed. (5.5 hours). 2 hours preparation, 1 hour with client, 1 hours reflecting and charting, .5 hours meeting with mentor.

Working with a partner from class either online or in person, determine a 20-minute practice (meditation, asana, pranayama, journaling) to improve the partner’s relationship with the pelvic floor.

*Page numbers given in lecture might not match up with the numbers in your source material if you are taking this course asynchronous