069: Yoga with Pelvic Organ Prolapse with Dr. Sarah Duvall

After meeting physiotherapist Dr. Sarah Duvall through a webinar, Shannon knew that Sarah, through her expertise and passion for pelvic health, would make a great guest for an episode of The Connected Yoga Teacher, complimenting the series of episodes on pelvic health (links below).

In addition to her work as a physiotherapist who specializes in helping women recover from pelvic health issues, Sarah has experienced first-hand how emotionally and physically draining it can be to suffer from pelvic health issues when, following the birth of her child, she was diagnosed with Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Sarah mainly works with women, specifically athletes and mothers, who need help with pelvic health issues including Diastasis and Pelvic Organ Prolapse. She was tired of seeing injuries that were entirely preventable; prolapse that worsens after birth, abdominal separation that just didn’t heal, and back pain from women lifting their infants.

Dr. Sarah Duvall’s goal is to help women exercise better. She sees many trying to back into shape after having a baby through physically damaging workouts that impact both the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor. Sarah wants to empower women to build strength without getting hurt. She runs online courses for moms who are recovering from pregnancy and childbirth as well as those tailored to professionals who are working with pre and postnatal students.

Sarah defines Pelvic Organ Prolapse, the importance of breath awareness in relation to pelvic health, prolapse prevention, and advice for yoga teachers on how to support and accommodate those with prolapse.  

[4:30] Sarah’s journey to becoming a Pelvic Health Specialist

[5:40] Sarah defines Pelvic Organ Prolapse

[8:20] Breath and pelvic health

[14:00] Using your sitz bone to check-in with your breath and pelvic floor (a good exercise to teach your students)

[18:10] Who is most susceptible to Pelvic Organ Prolapse

[23:00] What it feels like to have Pelvic Organ Prolapse

[25:40] Different types of prolapse

[26:30] Other breath practices Sarah recommends for teaching yoga, including breathing through transitions

[30:45] How yoga teachers can help students in class who’ve been diagnosed with prolapse

[33:55] Is breath holding damaging to pelvic health and the importance of giving women hope they can resume their physical activities

[37:00] Sarah’s personal experience with Pelvic Organ Prolapse; the challenge of healing, relapses, and the emotional impact the diagnosis and treatment

[43:15] Other considerations when you have a student with prolapse

[44:05] How to recognize if you’re straining or bearing down through kinesthetic awareness and the importance of checking in throughout the yoga class

[47:15] What Sarah wants to tell yoga teachers and those teachers who are dealing with Pelvic Organ Prolapse themselves

[48:15] How to get in touch with Sarah and her other offerings

[49:20] Shannon’s key takeaways

Links

Email: sarah@coreexercisesolutions.com

Sarah’s Website: Core Exercise Solutions

Course for Healthcare Professionals

Courses for Moms: Pre and Post Natal Pelvic Health Care

Dr. Sarah Ellis Duvall on Facebook

Core Exercise Solutions Youtube Channel

Printable PDF about Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Relevant Podcast Episodes

007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trista Zinn

008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni

009: Kegels, Mula Bandha, and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko

033: A New Perspective on Diastasis Recti with Sinead Dufour

More links

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

Book a Consultation Call with Shannon

Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training with Shannon Crow

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