Yes, breathing exercises! This is where we begin, and I know what you’re thinking, ain’t nobody got time for that! But this is one of the core exercises you must master as a little grasshopper.
Breathing seems pretty straight forward but breathing to relax the pelvic floor is what we really need to focus on.
Together, we are going to learn the basics of diaphragmatic breathing, aka filling your diaphragm with air, which in turn lowers and relaxes your pelvic floor.
- Sit comfortably. If you are sitting on something, try to sit with your knees bent and your shoulders, head, and neck relaxed. If you are sitting on the floor the same applies; get comfortable and relax your upper body.
- Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage so you can feel your diaphragm move as you breathe
- Breathe in slowly through your nose so that your stomach moves out against your hand, the hand on your chest should remain as still as possible (your tummy should kind of feel like a balloon filling with air)
- You will notice your pelvic floor move down and relax (yay!), try and keep this relaxed state as you slowly breathe out through your mouth or nose
- Repeat!
