{"id":63797,"date":"2026-05-29T13:00:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/?p=63797"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:47:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:47:47","slug":"breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/","title":{"rendered":"how breathwork supports pelvic floor relaxation"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"63797\" class=\"elementor elementor-63797\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b0608fb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b0608fb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0752956\" data-id=\"0752956\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2de5029 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2de5029\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Breathing is something most of us do thousands of times a day without ever being taught how to do it well. It happens automatically, it\u2019s what keeps us alive and yet the way we breathe, particularly when we are stressed, has a physical effect that travels further into the body than most people realise.<\/p><p>According to Dr Sandra Elmer, Urologist and Women\u2019s Pelvic Specialist and part of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation\/\">endota Wellbeing Conversation<\/a><\/span>, the connection between breathwork and the pelvic floor is often overlooked. While breathing isn\u2019t the only factor, it can play a supportive role in helping to ease pelvic floor tension.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d5b25d9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d5b25d9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dbeee7d\" data-id=\"dbeee7d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6e5ad7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a6e5ad7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">your diaphragm and pelvic floor are a team<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a83e111 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a83e111\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You might not know this, but your diaphragm and pelvic floor are working together with every breath you take. Along with the deep abdominal muscles, they form a coordinated pressure management system within the core, moving in a rhythm that most of us are entirely unaware of.\u00b9<\/p><p>The pelvic floor runs between the pubic bone at the front and the tailbone at the back, supporting all the pelvic organs: the urethra and bladder at the front, the vagina in the middle and the rectum at the back. \u201cThey\u2019re all under the control of the autonomic nervous system,\u201d Dr Elmer explains. In a well-functioning system, when you inhale, the diaphragm descends and the pelvic floor gently follows, lengthening and releasing. On the exhale, both structures naturally recoil, the pelvic floor lifting as the diaphragm rises. This gentle, rhythmic movement is part of how the pelvic floor maintains its health, keeping it supple and responsive rather than held.\u00b2<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c6b279\" data-id=\"1c6b279\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba9031b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba9031b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/diaphragm-and-pelvic-floor.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63798\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/diaphragm-and-pelvic-floor.jpg 400w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/diaphragm-and-pelvic-floor-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/diaphragm-and-pelvic-floor-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/diaphragm-and-pelvic-floor-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e93bebd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e93bebd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e49891c\" data-id=\"e49891c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be9d526 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"be9d526\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">what happens when we breathe under stress<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7e4638 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7e4638\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Think about the last time you were really stressed. Your breath probably got shorter, tighter, sitting up in the chest rather than moving through the body. That shift feels minor in the moment but when it becomes a habit, it has consequences that reach further than most people realise. Stressed breathing bypasses the diaphragm almost entirely, which means the pelvic floor never receives the gentle signal to release that a full breath provides.\u00b3<\/p><p>Dr Elmer notes that the pelvic floor is directly connected to the autonomic nervous system. \u201cThe diaphragm, the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor, when working together in harmony, keep a nice relaxed breathing pattern,\u201d she explains. \u201cBut when you\u2019re very stressed and the breathing becomes shorter or shallower, not only can you feel that in your diaphragm or your abdominal muscle, but it can also throw your pelvic floor muscles out too.\u201d<\/p><p>Over time, this can contribute to what Dr Elmer calls out as hypertonic pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, a state of chronic tension in the pelvic floor that can present as pain, urinary urgency or discomfort with intercourse.\u2075 This is covered in more depth in <a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/how-stress-affects-your-pelvic-floor\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">How Stress Affects Your Pelvic Floor<\/span><\/a>, but the important point here is that shallow breathing during times of stress, can contribute to tightening or dysfunction of the pelvic floor.<\/p><p>Many women have never been taught to connect breath to body in this way. The diaphragmatic breathing pelvic floor relationship is not something most of us encounter until something prompts us to go looking. The good news is that once you know it, it becomes a tool you have access to at any time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e01714f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e01714f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8770687 elementor-hidden-mobile\" data-id=\"8770687\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3160f07\" data-id=\"3160f07\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19c4349 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"19c4349\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7360f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7360f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many women have never been taught to connect breath to body in this way. The good news is that once you know it, it becomes a tool you have access to at any time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b91b21 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0b91b21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c618a3 elementor-hidden-mobile\" data-id=\"2c618a3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8bcb906 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8bcb906\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-65c9212\" data-id=\"65c9212\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3762b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b3762b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">how breathwork helps release pelvic floor tension<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c59bcc1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c59bcc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you\u2019ve ever noticed that a long, slow breath out can make your whole body feel slightly less braced, you\u2019ve already experienced what this section is about. That release isn\u2019t imagined. Slow, deep diaphragmatic breathing sends a signal of safety to the autonomic nervous system, gently shifting the body from the sympathetic state of fight-or-flight into the parasympathetic state of rest and repair.\u2074<\/p><p>Research shows that slow, focused breathing can measurably reduce the level of resting tension in the pelvic floor muscles specifically.\u2075 Cortisol, the body\u2019s primary stress hormone, also decreases with regular breathwork, which reduces the systemic stress load that contributes to pelvic floor tension in the first place.\u2076<\/p><p>Dr Elmer is direct about the value of this approach. \u201cDeep breathing, meditation, relaxation and gentle stretching\u201d are among the simple techniques she recommends for women looking to calm their pelvic floor. \u201cAnd if you\u2019re really struggling or need some extra support, please find a specialist pelvic floor physiotherapist because they\u2019re really good at teaching you ways that you can relax your pelvic floor.\u201d<\/p><p>This is not about force or control. It is about creating the conditions for the body to restore itself and breathing exercises for pelvic pain and tension offer one of the gentlest entry points available.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6028257 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6028257\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b983e86\" data-id=\"b983e86\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-848dab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"848dab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a-simple-breath-practice-to-try.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63799\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a-simple-breath-practice-to-try.jpg 400w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a-simple-breath-practice-to-try-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a-simple-breath-practice-to-try-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a-simple-breath-practice-to-try-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d024be\" data-id=\"3d024be\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5f672a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a5f672a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">a simple breath practice to try<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2968a86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2968a86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The following is a starting point for anyone wanting to begin pelvic floor relaxation exercises at home. It requires no equipment and no prior experience, just a few minutes and a willingness to pay attention.<\/p><p>Find a comfortable position, lying down or sitting with your back gently supported. Let your hands rest on your lower belly. Close your eyes if that feels comfortable.<\/p><p>Take a slow breath in through your nose. Rather than lifting the chest, allow the belly to soften and rise beneath your hands. As you breathe in, see if you can notice a gentle, subtle dropping or releasing sensation in the pelvic floor. There is nothing to force here, just an invitation to notice.<\/p><p>As you breathe out, let the belly and pelvic floor rise naturally, without gripping or squeezing. The breath does the work, your job is simply to allow it.<\/p><p>Repeat this for five to ten slow, unhurried cycles. If the mind wanders, that\u2019s fine. Simply return to the sensation of the belly rising and the breath moving through the body.<\/p><p>This practice is just a starting point. For women experiencing persistent pelvic floor symptoms, a pelvic floor physiotherapist can offer more targeted guidance and assess whether breathwork is the right approach for your specific situation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-de05a08 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"de05a08\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d525242\" data-id=\"d525242\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba7a0b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ba7a0b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">when breathwork alone isn\u2019t enough<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b3ce8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b3ce8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">For many women, a consistent breathwork practice will bring noticeable relief over time. For others, particularly those dealing with more complex pelvic floor dysfunction, breathwork may act as a supportive tool rather than a complete solution.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Pelvic floor physiotherapists are specifically trained to assess breathing patterns, identify where tension is held and guide more targeted work. Dr Elmer is clear that this kind of specialist support is genuinely valuable. \u201cHaving a really good pelvic floor physiotherapist is worth their weight in gold,\u201d she says.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Touch and bodywork can also play a meaningful role. The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/product\/spa-menu\/massage\/relaxation-massage\/organic-massage\/\">endota Organic Relax Massage<\/a><\/span> is one example of a treatment that naturally deepens and slows the breath, supporting the shift into the parasympathetic state that breathwork for women is aiming toward. Used alongside a regular home practice, it can deepen the body\u2019s ability to recognise and return to a state of ease.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-319d283 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"319d283\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e67ae34\" data-id=\"e67ae34\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4b492a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f4b492a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-04b9d2b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"04b9d2b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7c79a0\" data-id=\"f7c79a0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6f1278 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c6f1278\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">frequently asked questions<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdce83b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cdce83b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How does breathing affect the pelvic floor?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c7367e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c7367e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">The diaphragm and pelvic floor work as a coordinated system. On each inhale the diaphragm descends and the pelvic floor gently releases. On each exhale both naturally rise. When breathing is shallow or stress-driven, this rhythm breaks down and the pelvic floor can become stuck in a state of tension.\u00b2<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dcab26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9dcab26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can breathwork help with pelvic pain?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fab7381 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fab7381\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It can, particularly for tension-related pelvic pain. Slow diaphragmatic breathing shifts the nervous system away from sympathetic drive, which can allow the pelvic floor to release the guarding response that contributes to pain.\u2075 It\u2019s a gentle starting point, and for persistent or complex pain, working with a pelvic floor physiotherapist is recommended.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81a965b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"81a965b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is diaphragmatic breathing and how do I know if I\u2019m doing it right?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c210f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c210f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Diaphragmatic breathing means breathing in a way that allows the belly to rise on the inhale rather than the chest. Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. If the hand on your belly rises first and more significantly than the one on your chest, you are likely breathing diaphragmatically. It can take practice, particularly if shallow chest breathing has become habitual.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af4f2c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"af4f2c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How often should I practise breathwork for pelvic floor relaxation?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-566b239 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"566b239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Even five to ten minutes daily can be meaningful. Consistency matters more than duration. Some women find it helpful to anchor the practice to an existing habit, such as before bed or after waking, so it becomes part of the natural rhythm of the day rather than something additional to fit in.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6439cb1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6439cb1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Is breathwork safe if I already have pelvic floor problems?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72526e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72526e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For most women, gentle diaphragmatic breathing is very safe and is often recommended as part of pelvic floor rehabilitation. If you have significant pelvic floor dysfunction or have recently had surgery or treatment, it is worth checking with your healthcare provider or pelvic floor physiotherapist before beginning any new practice.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8321c69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8321c69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can I use breathwork alongside other treatments?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef28157 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef28157\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes, and it is often most effective that way. Breathwork complements pelvic floor physiotherapy, massage and other approaches by supporting the nervous system shift that makes other treatments more effective. Dr Elmer recommends it as part of a broader approach to pelvic wellbeing rather than as a standalone solution.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-39948f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"39948f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9b331d8\" data-id=\"9b331d8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bcd6bc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3bcd6bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9604ee2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9604ee2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-22d4b29\" data-id=\"22d4b29\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03a3e3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"03a3e3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">references<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03c925e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"03c925e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b9Hodges, P. W., &amp; Gandevia, S. C. (2000). Activation of the human diaphragm during a repetitive postural task. Journal of Physiology, 522(1), 165\u2013175. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1469-7793.2000.t01-1-00165.x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1469-7793.2000.t01-1-00165.x<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b2Talasz, H., Kremser, C., Kofler, M., Kalchschmid, E., Lechleitner, M., &amp; Rudisch, A. (2011). Phase-locked parallel movement of diaphragm and pelvic floor during breathing and coughing: a dynamic MRI investigation in healthy females. International Urogynecology Journal, 22(1), 61\u201368. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00192-010-1240-z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00192-010-1240-z<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b3Perri, M. A., &amp; Halford, E. (2004). Pain and faulty breathing: a pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 8(4), 297\u2013306. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S1360-8592(03)00085-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S1360-8592(03)00085-8<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2074Jerath, R., Edry, J. W., Barnes, V. A., &amp; Jerath, V. (2006). Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how slow deep breathing shifts the autonomic nervous system. Medical Hypotheses, 67(3), 566\u2013571. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.mehy.2006.02.042\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.mehy.2006.02.042<\/a>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2075Faubion, S. S., Shuster, L. T., &amp; Bharucha, A. E. (2012). Recognition and management of nonrelaxing pelvic floor dysfunction. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 87(2), 187\u2013193. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.mayocp.2011.09.004\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.mayocp.2011.09.004<\/a>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2076Ma, X., Yue, Z. Q., Gong, Z. Q., Zhang, H., Duan, N. Y., Shi, Y. T., Wei, G. X., &amp; Li, Y. F. (2017). The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 874. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2017.00874\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2017.00874<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd21fb8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd21fb8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[],&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f73be8\" data-id=\"3f73be8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ab8417 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ab8417\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dr Sandra Elmer is a urologist and women\u2019s pelvic specialist. She is part of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation\/\">endota Wellbeing Conversation<\/a><\/span>, a group of experts who share <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation-dr-sandra-elmer\/\">evidence-based insights<\/a><\/span> to help people better understand how their bodies and minds work.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57338a5\" data-id=\"57338a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-febeb74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"febeb74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63800\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Breathing is something most of us do thousands of times a day without ever being taught how to do it well. It happens automatically, it\u2019s what keeps us alive and yet the way we breathe, particularly when we are stressed, has a physical effect that travels further into the body than most people realise. According [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":63872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[172,173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-facial","category-treatments"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.5 (Yoast SEO v23.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Breathwork Supports Pelvic Floor Relaxation | endota<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Your breath and your pelvic floor are more connected than you might think. Here&#039;s how intentional breathing can help release tension, restore balance, and support your wellbeing from the inside out.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"how breathwork supports pelvic floor relaxation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Your breath and your pelvic floor are more connected than you might think. Here&#039;s how intentional breathing can help release tension, restore balance, and support your wellbeing from the inside out.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"endota New Zealand\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FormeSpas\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-29T01:00:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-29T01:47:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"480\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"341\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Megan Gerdei\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Megan Gerdei\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/person\/b8259104837750f732a072774f72ca66\"},\"headline\":\"how breathwork supports pelvic floor relaxation\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-29T01:00:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-29T01:47:47+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/\"},\"wordCount\":1806,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Facial\",\"Treatments\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/\",\"name\":\"How Breathwork Supports Pelvic Floor Relaxation | endota\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-29T01:00:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-29T01:47:47+00:00\",\"description\":\"Your breath and your pelvic floor are more connected than you might think. Here's how intentional breathing can help release tension, restore balance, and support your wellbeing from the inside out.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg\",\"width\":480,\"height\":341},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/\",\"name\":\"endota New Zealand\",\"description\":\"Award Winning Day Spa\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#organization\",\"name\":\"endota New Zealand\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/endota-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/endota-logo.png\",\"width\":461,\"height\":96,\"caption\":\"endota New Zealand\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FormeSpas\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/person\/b8259104837750f732a072774f72ca66\",\"name\":\"Megan Gerdei\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8da554513cc9fb9eb179ace3ccee8e3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8da554513cc9fb9eb179ace3ccee8e3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Megan Gerdei\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/author\/megang\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Breathwork Supports Pelvic Floor Relaxation | endota","description":"Your breath and your pelvic floor are more connected than you might think. Here's how intentional breathing can help release tension, restore balance, and support your wellbeing from the inside out.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"how breathwork supports pelvic floor relaxation","og_description":"Your breath and your pelvic floor are more connected than you might think. Here's how intentional breathing can help release tension, restore balance, and support your wellbeing from the inside out.","og_url":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/","og_site_name":"endota New Zealand","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FormeSpas\/","article_published_time":"2026-05-29T01:00:28+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-05-29T01:47:47+00:00","og_image":[{"width":480,"height":341,"url":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Megan Gerdei","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/"},"author":{"name":"Megan Gerdei","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/person\/b8259104837750f732a072774f72ca66"},"headline":"how breathwork supports pelvic floor relaxation","datePublished":"2026-05-29T01:00:28+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-29T01:47:47+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/"},"wordCount":1806,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg","articleSection":["Facial","Treatments"],"inLanguage":"en-NZ"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/","url":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/","name":"How Breathwork Supports Pelvic Floor Relaxation | endota","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg","datePublished":"2026-05-29T01:00:28+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-29T01:47:47+00:00","description":"Your breath and your pelvic floor are more connected than you might think. Here's how intentional breathing can help release tension, restore balance, and support your wellbeing from the inside out.","inLanguage":"en-NZ","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-NZ","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/how-breathwork-supports-pelvic-floor-relaxation-2.jpg","width":480,"height":341},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#website","url":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/","name":"endota New Zealand","description":"Award Winning Day Spa","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-NZ"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#organization","name":"endota New Zealand","url":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-NZ","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/endota-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/endota-logo.png","width":461,"height":96,"caption":"endota New Zealand"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FormeSpas\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/person\/b8259104837750f732a072774f72ca66","name":"Megan Gerdei","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-NZ","@id":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8da554513cc9fb9eb179ace3ccee8e3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8da554513cc9fb9eb179ace3ccee8e3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Megan Gerdei"},"url":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/author\/megang\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63797"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63797"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63797\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}