If you’ve been struggling with your pelvic floor this year, it’s time to get it sorted! And what better gift could you ask for for Christmas than leak-free dancing round the tree, cooking on your feet all day with confidence or jumping with actual joy with the kids at the panto?
While you could treat yourself, there’s zero shame in asking for presents that you truly want and need, so why not send this list to your chief gift giver (or print out and post to Santa!)?
Here’s my Christmas gift guide to help you build pelvic floor strength ready for a much more enjoyable 2023!
The gift of pelvic alignment
It might sound strange to start with feet when Centred Mums is all about pilates for pelvic floor, but everything in our bodies is connected!
You’ve got 26 bones, 33 joints, over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet and the way you walk and move using them has an impact on your other joints, but yes, I’m interested in your pelvis!
Barefoot shoes are designed to make your movement more natural and they will help improve the alignment of your pelvis over your ankles.
And over the last few years, Vivo Barefoot have broadened their range of footwear so you don’t always have to look like you’re heading out to a training session. They’ve got all the sporty ones but also everything from riding boots to a classic Chelsea!
End 2022 with comfortable feet and feeling more aligned!
Connect with your pelvic floor
As a women’s health professional (WHP) one of the first things I want my pelvic floor clients to learn is connecting with their pelvic floor.
Using a lightweight, soft ball like the Gymnic Soft Over Ball you can squeeze your ankles or your inner thighs together and connect with your pelvic floor. It’s designed to enhance your Pilates workouts by developing strength and endurance but is low impact.
I like this ball because it’s got a dimpled texture that makes it easier to grip than some other ones, so no slipping. Its soft squishiness gently challenges your body to work on stability, and balance. The perfect gift!
Get support with a specialist
If you’ve been putting off getting help with your pelvic floor, maybe it’s time to get a check with specialist physiotherapist? They specialise in helping you regain confidence in your pelvic floor – and they are able to help treat your unique situation. You can search a directory of pelvic health physios here.
The Squeezy app is a brilliant app for support where you set your reminders so you can *actually remember* to do your exercises throughout the day. It comes pre-set with an exercise plan recommended by a pelvic health physiotherapist (following NICE guidelines), or if you’re working with a physio 1:1 then you could input their personalised plan.
Squeezy has really helped some of my pelvic floor community build strengthening their pelvic floor into their daily routines.
Little Christmas miracle (balls)
These awesome release balls are for you to sit on and use to create better pelvic floor function.
Gift yourself a way of relieving pelvic pain, reducing tension that might be impacting your pelvic health, and finally aligning your body. You can create a mind-body connection through purposeful breathing and using the miracle balls in strategic positions on or under your body.
It all works with the balls providing a resting and feeling “spot” for your body, alongside your breathwork and gravity, building a neurological communication with your brain, you start to feel your tight muscles loosen.
The balls come with a book explaining the method and how to use them, plus there’s classes to buy on the Miracle Ball Method website if you want to dive in deeper.
The key to these Miracle Balls is that you will start to hear and actively listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Which is a Christmas gift we all deserve, right?!
The gift of pelvic floor confidence
And of course I’ve got the best gift of them all for you, the one that will support you to build and strengthen your pelvic floor – my Pelvic Floor Confidence Programme. Let’s build your understanding of your core function and develop strength in your body to allow you to address those pesky leaks, improve prolapse symptoms, close abdominal separation and prevent back pain.
Over our 4 months together we’ll improve your pelvic floor function by both releasing and strengthening to address the symptoms you’re facing. By using a holistic approach – including Pilates, breathwork, posture… – to build strength through your entire body so you’ll see amazing unexpected results, but particularly a stronger and more functional pelvic floor.
It’s time to stop worrying about leaking and start enjoying your life again! Give yourself the best Christmas present ever: Pelvic Floor Confidence!
It is possible for you to have confidence in your pelvic floor again, and the gems in this Christmas gift guide will help you on that journey!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a confident New Year!
Grace – Founder, Centred Mums
