Demystifying “Down There:” Yoga for the Female Pelvic Floor

with Leslie Howard

 

In this workshop we will  be “Demystifying “Down There. Join Leslie Howard, a presenter for the Yoga Journal Conferences and Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research, as she helps locate, assess, soften, stretch, strengthen and exercise the various muscle groups of the pelvic floor. She will discuss mula bandha, abdominal health and how to utilize the pelvic floor in asana.

Proper strengthening and stabilizing of the pelvic floor helps to create the correct foundation of each movement in the body. This is the true meaning of “core work.”  Whether you experience any of these conditions, or are just plain curious about this region of the body, this workshop is for you:

•  pelvic pain
•  leak when laughing or sneezing
•  lower back, hip or groin problems
•  have to go the bathroom too often
•  discomfort during sex or while using tampons
•  prolapsed organs
•  skin irritation
•  pregnancy and birth

We will begin with anatomy, lecture and discussion, followed by subtle experiential movements to awaken your understanding of this often ignored area. A series of specific exercises and asanas for the pelvic floor will follow. Time permitting, asana that spotlights the pelvis and hip joints will be practiced. Handouts will be provided. Bring your friends, sisters, mothers and daughters. Although helpful, no previous yoga experience is required. This workshop qualifies for continuing education credits with Yoga Alliance.

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Leslie Howard, a San Francisco-based yoga teacher, specializing in all things pelvic.  Her own struggles with healing her pelvis led her to intense study of the anatomy, physiology, cultural messaging, history and energetics of this rich place. Her teaching is informed by over 3000 hours of yoga study with senior Iyengar teachers.  She considers Ramanand Patel as her most important influence and mentor. She is a presenter for the Yoga Journal Conferences and Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research.  She is featured in the documentary, “Yoga Woman.”

 

Friday:
Registration at 4:00pm
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.     Hatha Yoga Class
Guided Deep Relaxation Class (Friday only)
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.     Evening Meditation
6:30 – 7:15 p.m.     Dinner
7:30 – 8:00 p.m.     Orientation
8:00 – 9:30 p.m.  Introduction to the Female Pelvis
Saturday
5:30 a.m.                Wake – up
6:00 –  6:40 a.m.    Morning Meditation
6:50 –  8:20 a.m.    Hatha Yoga
8:30 –  9:15 a.m.    Breakfast
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Cultural  Messaging and Anatomy
12:00 – 12:30p.m.   Meditation at LOTUS
12:45 –  1:30 p.m.   Lunch
1:45 –  3:15 p.m.    Ashram/LOTUS Tour; Free Time, Massage, Sauna (Saturday only)
3:45 –  5:30 p.m.  Finding your own pelvic floor
5:30 –  6:15 p.m.    Dinner
7:30 –  8:00 p.m.    Kirtan (chanting of sacred sounds)
8:00 – 10:00 p.m.   Satsang (Program with a video of Sri Swami Satchidananda and a talk
by a program speaker or a senior disciple).
Sunday: Departure Day
6:00 a.m.               Wake-up
6:20 –  7:20 a.m.   Morning Meditation
7:30 –  9:00 a.m.   Hatha Yoga
8:30 –  9:30 a.m.   Breakfast
9:45 – 11:15 a.m.  The Pelvic Floor and Asana
11:15 – 11:30 a.m.  Evaluations
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.  Meditation at LOTUS
12:45 -   1:30 p.m.   Lunch
2:00 p.m.                Check Out of Room

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