The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
240: Pelvic Health for Everyone with Shannon Crow
Description:
What is pelvic health and who is it for? Many people think of pelvic health as being related to childbirth, or people assigned female at birth, or getting older in a female body - but this is not true! Everyone has a pelvis, and a pelvic floor, and it is important for all of us to understand it better.
In this episode, Shannon Crow explains more about what pelvic health is and who it is for. She explains the basics around the form and anatomy of the pelvic floor, as well as its key functions in the body. She also highlights some of the common pelvic health issues people face, as well as shares some statistics on why pelvic health is something we should all know about.
If you are a yoga teacher who is teaching people who have a pelvis, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
[4:02] In this episode, Shannon is talking about pelvic health - what it is, and who it's for.
[6:28] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity.
[7:53] Everyone should know more about pelvic health.
[8:18] Many people think of pelvic health as being related to childbirth, people assigned female at birth, or getting older in a female body but this is not true!
[9:20] There tends to be shame and embarrassment around talking about pelvic health issues.
[10:45] Pelvic health issues are extremely common!
[12:33] The first step towards improving pelvic floor starts with understanding how the pelvic floor works.
[13:42] What is the pelvic floor, and where is it?
[15:34] The pelvic floor has three layers.
[17:16] What does the pelvic floor do? Two of its key functions are support and sphincteric.
[18:59] The pelvic floor also contributes to sexual function and stability
[20:23] The pelvic floor acts as a sump pump as well.
[21:14] One of the pelvic floor’s roles is to guard and protect.
[23:13] Shannon shares some statistics around pelvic health.
[24:37] If you would like to learn more about pelvic health, Pelvic Health Professionals is a great place to learn from experts and other professionals.
[28:15] Shannon gives a shout out to the Accessible Yoga Conference - she will be leading a panel on building community!
[29:59] Shannon summarizes her answers to the questions "What is pelvic health?" and "Who is pelvic health for?"
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity, Pelvic Health Professionals and the Accessible Yoga Conference.
Quotes from this episode:
"Whether we're assigned male or female at birth, whether we're non-binary or non-gender conforming, that really has nothing to do with pelvic health because everyone on the planet has a pelvis and a pelvic floor."
"One of the first steps towards improving our pelvic health is just understanding how the pelvic floor works."
"Once you start to understand how the pelvis works, you can be a real benefit to your yoga student."