When we were kids, many of us were never taught the proper names for our pelvic floor and sexual anatomy. Instead, we were given “cute” words: your flower, your foofoo, your china.

At first glance, those nicknames might feel harmless — even protective. But what happens when the words we grow up with don’t match the truth of our bodies?

We learn silence. We learn shame.

Why do some breathing positions make a bladder prolapse feel heavier? This blog explores how side-lying with a soft ball, 3-6-9 breathing, and apnoea can shift pressure pathways, affect fascia, and influence pelvic nerves. Learn how bracing impacts fascia health, why mobilisation keeps your support system “juicy” and functional, and how nerve pathways (pudendal, hypogastric, pelvic splanchnic, and obturator) play a role in prolapse symptoms. Discover practical troubleshooting tips and how Hypopressives can help you build safe, lasting pelvic floor support.

Most people think prolapse means your organs are just… falling out.

But what if it’s not about falling—
What if it’s about being pulled?

In my newest blog, I dive into the real mechanics of pelvic organ prolapse, why tight isn’t the answer, and how movement (yes, even gentle movement!) can help you heal.

When we talk about the pelvic floor, most people jump straight to the Kegels or the ‘squeeze and lift’ muscles. But there’s a deeper, often-forgotten player that holds more sway than you might think: the obturator internus (OI).

If you’ve ever experienced deep glute pain, sacroiliac discomfort, hip restriction, or stubborn pelvic floor tension that just won’t shift—this muscle might be part of the picture.

It may seem backwards—but often, the first step in healing is to help the body feel like healing is possible. Before tissue regenerates, hormones rebalance, or prolapse improves, we need to shift the internal state that’s governing those systems. And that begins with perception.

Your nervous system isn’t just reacting to the world around you—it’s constantly scanning for cues of safety or threat. When it perceives threat (even subtly: a sense of being broken, overwhelmed by symptoms, or stuck in fear), it stays in survival mode. Blood flow is redirected away from healing, breath becomes shallow, fascia tightens, and energy is spent on defence, not repair.

But when we create moments where the body feels safe—even briefly—something changes. The vagus nerve responds. Breath deepens. Fascia softens. The system downshifts from protection to possibility. It’s in this state that healing can truly begin.

Hypopressives are designed to reduce pressure in the abdominal cavity — but what if your session left you with a wave of reflux, throat tightness, or even heartburn?

It can feel disheartening when a technique meant to help seems to aggravate your symptoms. But this isn’t a sign to quit — it’s a sign to listen. In many cases, these sensations aren’t failure; they’re feedback. And when we soften, modify, and approach things with less performance and more presence, the benefits often return tenfold.

Rebounding can be an incredible way to boost your cardiovascular health, build strength, and support your pelvic floor when your system is ready for it.
But jumping—whether on a trampoline or not—isn’t just child’s play. It’s a full-body event that demands elastic recoil, fascial glide, pressure management, and joint integrity. That’s why preparation is everything.

When we think about healing pelvic floor dysfunction, we often think about exercises, physio appointments, or breathing drills. But the truth is: it’s not just about what you do in class or clinic. It’s what you do all day long that really shapes how your pelvic floor responds, recovers, and supports you.

The way we lift, sit, stand, carry, sleep, and clean can either reinforce dysfunction—or quietly build strength, resilience, and ease.

This post will walk you through 8 everyday movements—with the why, the how, and what to avoid—so you can turn your daily life into a healing practice.

In the world of strength training, few techniques are as powerful—or as misunderstood—as the Valsalva manoeuvre. This breath-holding technique is frequently used in resistance training to create intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and support the spine under load.

But while it's hailed by some experts as a vital performance tool, others warn that in women—especially those postpartum or with pelvic floor dysfunction—it can backfire.

So, what’s the truth? Let’s explore both sides.

When you rest in stillness with your eyes gently closed—or softly behind the eyelids with a downward gaze—you allow the visual system to take a break. This reduces sympathetic activation and frees up energy for internal regulation: like better bladder control, digestive rhythm, and pelvic floor coordination.

Cancer is a journey that can feel overwhelmingly out of our control. Between treatments, side effects, and the mental toll of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel like your body has been hijacked by something you can’t influence. But what if there was a way to reclaim some of that power? What if you could take an active role in your own healing and find moments of calm, relief, and even strength along the way?

Your pelvic floor needs load. Fascia and soft tissue thrive on load—it stimulates collagen and elastin production, keeping your tissues strong, responsive, and well-hydrated.

Rebounding (aka bouncing on a trampoline) delivers dynamic, elastic load through the whole body—hips, spine, core, feet—and, when done well, can actually support pelvic floor resilience.

In fact, studies show that trampolining offers greater biomechanical stimulus than running, especially when it comes to gravitational loading. So yes—it’s effective.

But effective isn’t the same as appropriate—especially if your system isn’t ready.

You’re Not Alone (and You’re Not Doomed)

Let’s break the taboo. Your perineum deserves just as much attention as your abs, your glutes, or your heart. If you’ve been feeling like something’s “off” or like your body isn’t responding how it used to, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone.

The great news? Your perineum is responsive. With the right tools—like Hypopressives, gentle release work, and postural awareness—it can heal, lift, and reclaim its place in your pelvic puzzle.

We’ve been told that shapewear is a quick fix — smoothing the belly, lifting the bottom, holding everything “in place.” But at what cost?

As a pelvic floor specialist, I see behind the scenes — what’s happening inside the body when it’s tightly wrapped, compressed, and silenced by elasticized control. Spoiler alert: it’s not doing your pelvic health any favours.

Here’s what you need to know.

If your ribs feel stuck, it’s not a sign of failure—it’s a signal.

Your body isn’t broken.

It might just be asking for safety before mobility.

Support before stretch.

Listening before forcing.

Your pelvic floor isn’t meant to work in isolation—it’s part of a complex, coordinated team. It works alongside your diaphragm, deep core, hips, feet, and nervous system.

What your body really needs is a responsive pelvic floor:
One that contracts when needed, relaxes when it’s safe, and moves rhythmically with your breath and posture.

Kegels isolate the pelvic floor from this team. They often fail to restore true function—and can even create further imbalance.

Do’s and Don’ts for Voice & Pelvic Floor Health

✅ DO:

• Practice exhaling while speaking rather than holding your breath and pushing.

• Use diaphragmatic breath before and after long speaking or singing sessions to reset pressure.

• Check your posture: Tall spine, soft knees, relaxed jaw. Alignment helps the canister function.

• Incorporate voice and breath coordination drills (see below).

• Use voice resonance (vibration in the chest or face) instead of pure force.

❌ DON’T:

• Yell or speak forcefully while breath-holding.

• Tuck your pelvis or lock your knees while speaking.

• Push your belly out on inhale or clench your abs on exhale.

• Ignore signs like pelvic heaviness or leaking—those are cues your system needs support.

Breathing is an automatic process we often take for granted, yet it holds profound influence over our brain's health and function. Emerging research reveals that conscious breathwork can impact brain structures like the amygdala, potentially offering protective benefits against age-related neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's.

Cancer is a journey that can feel overwhelmingly out of our control. Between treatments, side effects, and the mental toll of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel like your body has been hijacked by something you can’t influence. But what if there was a way to reclaim some of that power? What if you could take an active role in your own healing and find moments of calm, relief, and even strength along the way?

Exploring your own body can lead to some surprising discoveries, and it’s completely natural to have questions—especially when it comes to your pelvic floor and vaginal health. If you’ve noticed a firm ridge along the front (anterior) wall of your vagina, it might leave you feeling a bit confused or even worried. Let’s dive into what this might be, why it happens, and how you can support your body through self-care and gentle exploration.