Hypopressives &
Well Woman Yoga
Why have I decided to combine Hypopressives with Well Woman Yoga? I have always found that combining my scientist (physiotherapist) self with my more holistic (yogi) self has brought about the most rounded and rewarding results for my clients. So this class offers a holistic "Well Woman" Pelvic health offering in one class. So the well woman aspect of the class incorporates a more feminine yoga movement with our pelvic health at the centre of our intention. We familiarise ourselves with our pelvic anatomy, learn and move with intention.
Hypopressives are an evidence-based postural core and pelvic floor exercise programme led by a physiotherapist. Simply put, Hypopressives are a breathing technique that anyone can be taught to do. The breathing creates a vacuum in the abdominal and pelvic area which reduces pressure and automatically causes a 'lift' in the pelvic floor muscles. With practice, hypopressives improve how the core muscles work as a unit and how your pelvic floor works reflexively in everyday life without you having to think about it. This is breathwork we all should be doing as women (AFAB) to care for our pelvic health and it is particularly beneficial for women with prolapse, leaking, incontinence, low back pain, endometriosis, pmdd, recurrent uti's, post pelvic/abdominal surgeries and many other pelvic health issues.
For this class leave your inhibitions at the door. Arrive with an open mind, leave with an open pelvis.
Is this class for you?
We do not recommend Hypopressives breathing during pregnancy however Well Woman Yoga is suitable and an alternative breathing technique can be provided for you. This class is super if you are postpartum (at least 3 months post C-section or other surgery). We do not recommend this class for EDS (vascular), COPD, or if you have uncontrolled high BP
Pilates
What to expect from a physio-led pilates class @ Moss & Sand Studio? I have been teaching Pilates since 2009. I trained in Australia with DMA Clinical Pilates and have since developed my own style which is a blend of a lot of the courses I have done. I will always use a blend of my scientist physio self and my more holistic whole-body approach. My pilates classes are mat based with a max of 10 people. I am very focused on technique and positioning. Less reps with good technique beats lots of reps with poor technique everytime. I don't use a lot of props in pilates anymore and prefer to teach the basics really well. As I found out, many high performance athletes couldn't even do the basics well. My classes are accessible for beginners, neurodivergent, dyspraxic and hypermobile bodies. Expect to breathe, work slowly & specifically and improve your overall stability and posture. Great for injuries, rehab, injury prevention, hypermobility and body awareness (proprioception).
Is this class for you?
Pilates has excellent results for low back pain populations, recovery from injury, postpartum, as a compliment to other strength training and for hypermobility. Not recommended until 3 months post c-section or other surgery.
Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is the marriage of yoga and meditation. If the idea of trying to sit down and meditate feels too difficult or impossible this could be the perfect place to start. Yin, unlike other forms of yoga, challenges us to stay still. We make a shape (yoga posture) and then we stay. Sounds easy? It is the far greater challenge to stop moving, stop fixing, stop 'efforting' and just stay still. Yin incorporates gentle breathing which has a calming effect on the nervous system and Yin targets our joints, connective tissues and fascia rather than our muscles so it is great for joint stiffness and areas we hold tension & stress.
Yin invites us to crawl into our bodies and meet ourselves (the comfort and discomfort) and stay awhile. This Yin style of Yoga teaches us to fully inhabit our bodies with dignity and care. No matter how painful, weak, stiff/hypermobile, damaged, numb or sick our body might be, each Yin pose is an invitation to be more at home in our body and more accepting. We learn to acquaint, soften and investigate with gentle curiosity rather than react to how we think our bodies should be.
Our Yin classes are also the combination of western allopathic medicine (physio-led) and eastern medicine (as Yin Yoga is based on chinese medicine) so expect a holistic blend of learning from both worlds throughout each class.
Is this class for you?
We recommend Yin for general wellbeing and an antidote to a busy lifestyle. It has great results for chronic pain populations, general stiffness, stress relief, nervous system regulation, fertility and neurodivergent / sensitive bodies. We would not recommend Yin while pregnant, early postpartum or early post surgery. Yin can be done with extra supports and awareness when hypermobile or breastfeeding (please let me know).
