The next time you feel stuck or overwhelmed, pause and take a conscious breath. Let that breath anchor you, expanding your ribs, lifting your heart, and settling your mind. Notice how it creates space—not just in your body but also in your life—for new ideas, possibilities, and a deeper sense of connection.

Through breath, we receive the world. Through inspiration, we shape it. Let’s breathe deeply, live fully, and remain open to the whispers of wonder all around us.

When we pause to observe nature, we often find striking parallels between the natural world and our own bodies. It’s almost as if nature has written its wisdom into both ecosystems and human anatomy, showing us that we are deeply connected to the world around us. One beautiful mirroring lies in the relationship between our lungs and nervous system and the way tree roots and mycelium network beneath the earth.

These systems share striking similarities: they are both intricate webs of connection, designed to sustain life, communicate, and maintain balance. What can this parallel teach us about our bodies, our health, and the environment?

While 360° lateral costal breathing might seem like a new concept, it’s deeply rooted in ancient practices. The idea of expanding the ribcage laterally during inhalation is intrinsic to many traditional breathwork modalities, such as pranayama in yoga. The lateral costal focus—where the ribs move outward like an accordion—was a subtle but crucial aspect of these teachings, designed to optimize diaphragm movement, create a sense of calm, and improve energy flow.

The pelvic diaphragm is deeply influenced by what happens above and below it. Misalignments in the arches of the feet or tension in the thoracic diaphragm can place extra strain on the pelvic floor, while restricted movement in the cervical diaphragm or pharyngeal diaphragm can create compensatory patterns that ripple down the chain.

Scar tissue in the pelvic region—whether from cesarean births, episiotomies, or abdominal surgeries—adds another layer of complexity. It can limit the natural rise and fall of the pelvic diaphragm, leading to tightness, weakness, or pain.

Breathing mechanics also play a role. Many people with pelvic floor dysfunction unintentionally breathe in a way that increases intra-abdominal pressure, further straining the pelvic diaphragm.

If you’ve ever been told to “just do your Kegels” to fix pelvic floor issues, you’re not alone. Kegels are often hailed as the magic ticket for everything from incontinence to pelvic pain. But here’s the thing: they’re just one piece of the puzzle—and for some people, not even the right piece.

Enter holistic pelvic floor programmes, with Hypopressives leading the charge. These approaches aren’t just about clenching and hoping for the best; they’re about working with your body in a way that feels natural, restorative, and (dare I say it?) empowering. Let’s break it down.

When it comes to the pelvis, we often zero in on the heavy hitters—the bones, the muscles, the organs. But there’s this unsung hero quietly holding everything together: fascia. This stretchy, web-like tissue connects every part of your body, and in the pelvis, it’s working overtime to support, stabilise, and move with you.

So, let’s take a moment to give pelvic fascia the spotlight it deserves—because if you’re on a journey toward better pelvic health, this is a game-changer you absolutely need to know about.

What Even Is Fascia?

Fascia is like the body’s scaffolding, hugging muscles, wrapping organs, and keeping everything in place without being stiff or rigid. Imagine a spiderweb crossed with a super comfy hammock—it’s strong, flexible, and always adapting.

The body is a beautifully interconnected system, and the adductors and pelvic floor are just one example of how no muscle works in isolation. If you’ve been struggling with pelvic floor dysfunction, don’t underestimate the power of your inner thighs! By bringing awareness to this connection and incorporating gentle, mindful practices, you can foster greater balance and support for your body.

Hypopressives work by using breath and posture patterns to first release the tension and get back a great resting tone and secondly by using our bodies own lift system via our diaphrams and fascia to create a deep lift inside our abdominals that create a traction upwards of our pelvic organs- reducing pressure and allowing our body breathing space to heal.

So, yes you can do traditional kegels again if you want to- but be mindful that you release fully after each squeeze - this can add a little help to creating more support from below the pelvic organs as we use Hypopressives to lift from above.

Exercise & Pelvic floor dysfunction