Hypopressives with SJ

What are Hypopressives?

Hypopressives were created by Spanish Physiotherapist Dr Marcel Cuafriez and has origins in yoga and postural rehabilitation.
Hypopressives means 'low pressure' and comprose of a flow of specific postures and use of specific breathing techniques including a vacuum breathe (apnea) in order to gain a range of benefits in the body with a focus on pelvic floor and core health.
Hypopressives are suited for anyone with poor pelvic floor health disorders or for those looking to ensure that the future health of their pelvic floor is maintained. Pelvic floor disorders include incontinence, prolapsed pelvic organs, sexual disfunction and diastasis recti to name but a few.

How do Hypopressives work?

By using a vacuum breath (known as apnea), with a set of specific postures, Hypopressives reduce pressure in the thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities. This enhances posture, improves breathing technique and helps to restore pelvic floor and core health.

Why do we need be aware of pelvic floor health?

As a result of pregnancy, childbirth, ageing, hormonal changes in the body, being overweight or lifting heavy objects, our pelvic floor is put under a lot of strain and weakens. Inefficient breathing can also cause problems as our diaphragm works in partnership with our pelvic floor muscles, so a tight diaphragm could mean poor pelvic floor health. Perimenopause is another time our pelvic floor changes due to changes in hormones and reduced resting tone in our muscles. It is therefore important to work with our pelvic floors in order to future proof our bodies and prevent many symptoms that occur as a result of weakness in this area.

As a culture, we normalise a weak pelvic floor blaming it on the factors mentioned above or on ‘old age’. Products in the shops such as incontinence pads also make us think this is just the norm and make us think we need to accept it as a way of life. This is not right and by doing something about it, we can take back control of our body. It is never too late to start incorporating Hypopressives into your daily routines and see some fantastic results.

Testimonial:

‘I can already feel the improvement in urinal incontinence. Im not afraid to join my children on the trampoline now’ Sarah, Wokingham

Testimonial:

‘After just three weeks, I can already feel the improvements in my pelvic floor. It was made worse recently when I suffered a chest infection. The coughing weakened everything. Following this short course, I feel much stronger and more toned’ Elle, Bracknell

Benefits of Hypopressives

Incontinence- Do you fear sneezing, coughing, laughing or jumping? Well fear no more! Hypopressives can be used to improve both urinary and fecal incontinence. This is great news, especially for those in the post natal phase. 85% of women suffer post natal urinal incontinence. We are rarely offered support with this unless we know to specifically push for assistance and are then offered physiotherapy and pelvic floor squeezes. Many of us suffer in silence as there is very little information out there to guide us on this issue as we are made to believe this is ‘normal’ or ‘just the way it is’.
Incontinence is also something we find increases with age due to a change in our muscle tone and hormones. Using Hyopressives can support anyone who wants to either improve this symptom ,or prevent it occurring in future, it is never too late to start.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)- pelvic organ prolapse means our pelvic organs such as our bladder, rectum or uterus have dropped as a result of weakened pelvic floor muscles and are not sitting in the correct position. They can bulge through the vaginal wall in varying severity causing physical and mental disorders. Hypopressives assist with reduction in POP by helping improve the physical position of the prolapse, reducing the need for surgery and therefore improving physical and mental health.
Diastasis Recti- This is an increase in the midline of our abdominal muscles. 100% of women will experience this during pregnancy and you may notice that you still suffer an abnormally wider gap months or even years after the birth of your child. Hypopressives helps to reduce this gap and therefore improve core strength and stability.
Sexual Function- As a result of weakness in resting pelvic tone, sexual function and enjoyment can be reduced. Hypopressives help to improve the resting tone of the perineum as well as reduce incontinence which can lead to improved self esteem and sexual satisfaction.
Lower Back Pain- Lower back pain can increase where there is a weak core and pelvic floor. Hypopressives improve core strength and pelvic floor muscle tone as well as posture, which in turn reduces lower back pain.
Hernias- Due to improved core strength and function, hernias may be prevented or reduced as a result of Hypopressives
Improved Breathing- by working our diaphragm more efficiently during the hypopressive breathing and improving the relationship between the diaphragm and pelvic floor, our breathing can become more efficient and can even improve asthmatic symptoms.
Improved Posture- due to improved core strength and awareness of our body, our posture can be improved with hypopressives.
Reduced Waistline- improved core strength and reduction in distasis recti result in a smaller waistline with hypopressives.
Core Strength and Stability- Hypopressives improves the relationship between pelvic floor and diaphragm as well as increasing core tone. This in turn increases stability of the core and cohesion between all core organs.

Services Offered by SJ

Free introductory call with SJ

Feel free to contact SJ on 07979487286 to talk through what Hypopressives are and how they can help you before deciding if you wish to go ahead with any of the below courses.

One to One introductory meeting and pre assessments –

This is an initial one to one with SJ to cover pre assessments to understand where your body is at and how Hypopressives can help you. The session will explain how Hypopressives work as well as covering their benefits and introducing the breathing techniques for you to go and start practicing.

£80 for 75 minutes. This can be done online or in person

You can then go on to choose from the following options:

3x 121 sessions of 45 minutes plus tips and videos-

You will have three 121 sessions with SJ as well as receiving access to videos of tips and classes to view at your pleasure. The course is non refundable. If you wish to do additional sessions this can be agreed with SJ at a later date.

£199 for 3x 45 minute sessions, plus videos of postures and tips for breathing. This can be done online or in person.

6x 121 sessions of 45 minutes plus tips and videos-

This is ideal for those who want additional support to improve pelvic floor health and core stability or who wish to future proof their pelvic floor health including more advanced poses once you are more confident. You will have six 121 sessions with SJ as well as receiving access to videos of tips and classes to view at your pleasure. The course is non refundable. If you wish to do additional sessions this can be agreed with SJ at a later date.

£375 for 6x 45 minute sessions, plus videos of postures and tips. This can be done online or in person

Coming Spring 2025- weekly class online and recorded

More information to follow.