Hold your belly in or push it out? Feldenkrais for Pelvic Floor Health with Deborah Bowes

Find out more about The Pelvic Floor Series Part 1 and Part 2 self-paced courses at www.movementan...
Part 1 The Pelvic Floor: Discovery, Integration and Power
Part 2 The Pelvic Floor Part 2: Power and Finesse
To learn about all of Deborah's self-paced online courses sponsored by Movement & Creativity visit: www.movementan...

[@rosannasun99]

Thanks for the distinction of "allowing" the belly to come out vs "pushing". Huge difference, and a very important, proper understanding!

[@deborahbowes5402]

Hi Rosanna, Thank you. Yes, I find that using the words 'Allowing the belly to move forward ' brings a different, easier movement than what happens when I hear 'Push the belly out'. And then you are not bearing down into the pelvic floor.

[@FeldenkraisInNiagara]

The only distinction I would make is that the abdominal muscles can be activated in a lengthened or shortened position. Also, when lifting something heavy, I would want to stabilize at the floating ribs but lengthen near the pelvis so there is good connection to the legs.

[@deborahbowes5402]

Thank you. Yes, sensing differentiated use of the abs is important and having functional connection through the whole body. I'm curious how you would teach the kind of movement you describe?

[@em1503]

Thank you for your advice. Instantly feels better after "allowing "belly to come out. Priceless to me

[@deborahbowes5402]

So happy to hear this helped you.

[@echokehn4990]

It occured to me control doesnt mean grip. Until I slow down I often substitute grip. Love your teachings.

[@marylefebvre2245]

I agree entirely with all this, glad you’ve addressed this!

[@deborahbowes5402]

Thanks, Mary, it is a favorite theme for me as it is so useful to many people and there's a lot of confusion about how to appropriately use the pelvic floor system..

[@pippamellon8678]

That’s really informative..

[@deborahbowes5402]

Thank you.

[@madeleineedgar5929]

Very nice,Deborah!

[@deborahbowes5402]

Thanks, Madeleine.

[@reneetucker1193]

I remember a lesson in Awareness Through Movement where we are asked to inflate our belly and inflate our chest, like a baloon that would "pass " between those two areas. With breath and without. How does that play in with not pushing the abdomen? I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Important and deep.

[@deborahbowes5402]

Hi Renee, I think you are referring to a movement in Feldenkrais Method called 'see-saw breathing'. In the see-saw movement, it can be experienced as a pleasant reciprocal contraction and letting go of the belly and chest, without forcefully pushing the belly out, and definitely without bearing down into the pelvic floor. In my Pelvic Floor Course at Movementandcreativity.com, there are Awareness Through Movement lessons that both explore and help one to develop this kind of differentiation of action.

[@micaelat3734]

Actually, I found myself telling someone to push the belly button forward, in order to get them to make an anterior tilt of the pelvis.
I think sometimes he meant that.
I remember from the potent self the idea of swinging an axe overhead, he asks to be aware of what begins to activate as you just begin the downward arc.

[@leRadicidelPiacere]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@deborahbowes5402]

Love the roses! thank you.

[@leRadicidelPiacere]

@@deborahbowes5402 You deserve a lot of roses because you are very good.🥰

[@deborahbowes5402]

@@leRadicidelPiacere Aww, Renata, that's so nice. thank you.