We’ve been told that shapewear is a quick fix — smoothing the belly, lifting the bottom, holding everything “in place.” But at what cost?

As a pelvic floor specialist, I see behind the scenes — what’s happening inside the body when it’s tightly wrapped, compressed, and silenced by elasticized control. Spoiler alert: it’s not doing your pelvic health any favours.

Here’s what you need to know.

If your ribs feel stuck, it’s not a sign of failure—it’s a signal.

Your body isn’t broken.

It might just be asking for safety before mobility.

Support before stretch.

Listening before forcing.

If you’re experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, you’ve probably come across a long list of “solutions” that promise fast results.

💊 Creams.
🔮 Wands.
🪑 Magnetic chairs.
🧴 Gels.

And I get it—when you're leaking, prolapsing, dealing with vaginismus, or feeling like your insides are falling out, you want a fix. Yesterday.

We all wish there was a silver bullet—a magic click of the heels that could just make it all go away.

There’s something that’s been bothering me lately, and I need to get it off my chest. Some clients are being told by PT trainers and physios that the goal is to do 30 apnoeas per session—as if hitting that magic number is the secret to pelvic floor perfection. It’s almost as if these practitioners just can’t quite let go of their Kegel fixation—count, squeeze, repeat.

But here’s the thing: That’s not how Hypopressives—or your pelvic floor—actually work.

Your pelvic floor isn’t meant to work in isolation—it’s part of a complex, coordinated team. It works alongside your diaphragm, deep core, hips, feet, and nervous system.

What your body really needs is a responsive pelvic floor:
One that contracts when needed, relaxes when it’s safe, and moves rhythmically with your breath and posture.

Kegels isolate the pelvic floor from this team. They often fail to restore true function—and can even create further imbalance.

Do’s and Don’ts for Voice & Pelvic Floor Health

✅ DO:

• Practice exhaling while speaking rather than holding your breath and pushing.

• Use diaphragmatic breath before and after long speaking or singing sessions to reset pressure.

• Check your posture: Tall spine, soft knees, relaxed jaw. Alignment helps the canister function.

• Incorporate voice and breath coordination drills (see below).

• Use voice resonance (vibration in the chest or face) instead of pure force.

❌ DON’T:

• Yell or speak forcefully while breath-holding.

• Tuck your pelvis or lock your knees while speaking.

• Push your belly out on inhale or clench your abs on exhale.

• Ignore signs like pelvic heaviness or leaking—those are cues your system needs support.

Breathing is an automatic process we often take for granted, yet it holds profound influence over our brain's health and function. Emerging research reveals that conscious breathwork can impact brain structures like the amygdala, potentially offering protective benefits against age-related neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's.

Cancer is a journey that can feel overwhelmingly out of our control. Between treatments, side effects, and the mental toll of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel like your body has been hijacked by something you can’t influence. But what if there was a way to reclaim some of that power? What if you could take an active role in your own healing and find moments of calm, relief, and even strength along the way?

Exploring your own body can lead to some surprising discoveries, and it’s completely natural to have questions—especially when it comes to your pelvic floor and vaginal health. If you’ve noticed a firm ridge along the front (anterior) wall of your vagina, it might leave you feeling a bit confused or even worried. Let’s dive into what this might be, why it happens, and how you can support your body through self-care and gentle exploration.

In Hypopressives, we’re always focusing on creating an elongated, neutral spine and stacking the ribcage efficiently over the pelvis. This alignment supports the vacuum effect, allowing the fascia to move upward in a more balanced, unrestricted way. It also means that the pelvic floor reflexively responds to this pressure shift without any conscious squeezing or bracing. The abdominal muscles, particularly the deeper ones like the transversus abdominis, cinch inward naturally, creating a corset-like effect without forcing a contraction.

Breathing is often seen as a simple, automatic process, but the cascade of movements and reactions within the body during a breath cycle is far more intricate and purposeful. This breath cascade not only supports vital functions but also profoundly influences spinal stability and pelvic floor health. Let’s break down this fascinating chain reaction step by step.

Nerve flossing with arm spirals and active gentle lengthening in Hypopressives is a powerful yet often overlooked tool for improving nerve glide, fascial hydration, and neuromuscular efficiency. When executed correctly, these movements not only mobilise restricted nerves but also help integrate the entire body’s postural, respiratory, and neurological systems for improved function and pelvic floor health.

The pelvic floor is a complex web of muscles, fascia, and connective tissue that provides essential support for the bladder, uterus, and rectum. These muscles work in harmony to maintain continence, stabilise posture, facilitate childbirth, and contribute to sexual function.

The pelvic floor is made up of several layers, with key muscles including:

• Levator Ani Group (Pubococcygeus, Puborectalis, Iliococcygeus) – The primary support system for pelvic organs.

• Coccygeus Muscle – Aids in stabilising the sacrum and tailbone.

• Perineal Muscles – Including the deep and superficial transverse perineal muscles, bulbospongiosus, and ischiocavernosus, which support vaginal and urethral function.

When functioning optimally, the pelvic floor maintains organ position, controls pressure distribution within the core, and prevents prolapse and incontinence. However, when scar tissue forms within this region, complications can arise that significantly impact quality of life.

Bladder dysfunction is not just a mechanical issue—it’s deeply connected to the nervous system. By understanding the role of Polyvagal Theory, Onuf’s nucleus, and bladder retraining, we can take a multifaceted approach to restoring urinary function.

💡 Key Takeaways: ✔ The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in bladder control.
✔ Stress and trauma can disrupt the bladder’s normal function.
✔ Bladder retraining and nervous system regulation improve continence.
✔ Hypopressives are a powerful tool to regulate intra-abdominal pressure and support bladder health.
✔ Balanced pelvic floor muscle tone is key—neither too tight nor too weak—for optimal continence.

For those struggling with bladder dysfunction or incontinence, a combined approach of bladder training, breathwork, pelvic floor support, and nervous system regulation offers real solutions for long-term relief.

✨ Let’s start normalising conversations around bladder health and give our nervous systems the care they need! ✨

Final Takeaway: When to Use Each Type of Breathing

🌬️ Belly Expansion (Vagal Stimulation) → Great for
✔️ Deep relaxation (Yoga Nidra, meditation, sleep prep)
✔️ Stimulating digestion & gut motility
✔️ Reducing anxiety & nervous system overactivity

🌀 360° Lateral Costal Breathing (Vagal Stimulation + Pressure Balance) → Best for
✔️ Everyday function, movement, and posture
✔️ Core stability & pelvic floor integrity
✔️ Sustained nervous system regulation without pressure imbalances

Onuf’s nucleus. You may not have heard of it, but it’s working hard for you every day—helping you control your bladder and bowels, keeping your pelvic floor muscles engaged, and even playing a role in orgasmic contractions(yes it also helps with amazing orgasims)

Gynecological issues are far more common than many people realise, yet they are often shrouded in silence. Conditions such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) affect millions of women worldwide, impacting their daily lives, fertility, and overall well-being. The more we talk about these issues and share knowledge, the better equipped we are to take control of our health. This blog will explore each condition, highlighting symptoms to watch for, holistic strategies for management, and how Hypopressives can play a crucial role in supporting pelvic and abdominal health.

Piriformis syndrome is often misunderstood as just a "tight muscle" problem, but in reality, it can disrupt nerve function, alter fascia dynamics, and contribute to chronic pain that extends beyond the glutes. If you’ve ever felt sciatic pain that worsens in certain positions—particularly lying on your front—or experienced an unexplained burning sensation in your buttocks, legs, or even vulva, this might be the missing piece of the puzzle.

This post will explore why piriformis syndrome happens, how it affects the body (including its impact on fascia), why it can make lying on your stomach unbearable, and why traditional methods like the McKenzie approach may not be effective. We'll also dive into exercise modalities that actually work—including Hypopressives, a technique that promotes whole-body engagement to alleviate sciatic pain.

The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in your body, playing a vital role in lower limb function and mobility. Originating from the lumbar and sacral plexus, it travels down the spine, through the pelvis, and into the legs, branching off to deliver motor and sensory signals. But due to its long journey, it's prone to compression and irritation, which can cause pain, numbness, and dysfunction. In this post, we’ll explore its pathway, common compression points, how hysterectomies and sacral damage can impact it, and most importantly, how you can take charge of your recovery with Hypopressives, breathwork, foot mechanics, and release techniques.

Long before we had clinical studies, ancient cultures used cannabis and castor oil to support sleep, ease pain, and regulate cycles. From Ayurveda to Chinese medicine, plant medicine was a trusted ally in keeping the nervous system balanced. Castor oil, known for its ability to permeate the skin and nourish tissues below the surface, is rich in ricinoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and circulatory-boosting properties. It is believed to enhance lymphatic flow, improve tissue hydration, and support hormonal balance by increasing circulation to the reproductive organs.