Diaphragmatic Breath

If you’ve been in my yoga class we’ve talked about how to incorporate diaphragmatic breath into your daily life as you move through pregnancy & life after birth.

Inhale: release your pelvic floor, allow your belly to fill with air.

Exhale: engage your pelvic floor as you empty your lungs, belly pulling towards your spine (engaging your abdominal wall)

This breath utilizes the strength and force of your diaphragm, pelvic floor and abdominal wall. The diaphragm tightens as you inhale and lifts as you exhale.

This breath can...

• Brace & stabilize your uterus & pelvis

• Build awareness and strength in your pelvic floor

• Aid in healing post-birth or work to prevent (or heal) diastasis recti (exaggerated separation of the abdominal wall)

Keep in mind, all kegels are not created equal!

Cat/Cow is a perfect yoga posture to practice this breath: 

• Cow (inhale) release pelvic floor, fill with air

• Cat (exhale) lift pelvic floor, empty lungs, engage abdominals

This exercise can help you optimize your pelvic floor strength while learning how to relax/open as well. Getting deeper into the layers of your pelvic floor and pelvic bowl.

It’s important to remember not all pelvic dysfunction or pain is from a lack of strength...it can also be from too much tension (tightness). Let that s**t go!