I'd like to share a piece from a guest blogger, Julia Soffa. She was a recent teacher trainee in a group I lead through a modified yoga teacher version of my Retreat to Your Root in Nicaragua. I love her thoughtful reflections after our immersion into the multifaceted-ness of pelvic health.  Enjoy!

"What the heck is my "root" and why exactly might I want to retreat to it?" is a pretty common question I've been asked as I've shared about my offerings to my patients, my family, my friends, and random strangers at the coffee shop.  

When I named "Retreat to Your Root (RTR): A Yoga for Pelvic Health Retreat" I felt it important that the title spoke to what the experience itself would entail (the retreat) and the multiple levels of healing that could take place (in the root).  I chose the word "root" for it's complex and multifaceted nature and it's ability to describe all at once the physical, energetic, and emotional components we would touch on.

As a former high level gymnast I was saddened to see the news this week that 3 women who at one time held places on the US National Gymnastics Team have come forward with reports of being sexually abused a national coach using internal “treatment”.  For those of you who missed it, there was a ‘60 Minutes’ featuring an interview with three former gymnasts, Jamie Dantzscher, Jessica Howard and Jeanette Antolin, who have now publicly accused their former doctor, Dr. Lawrence Nassar, of repeated instances of sexual abuse.  The full report can be found on the CBS website.

This news was upsetting to me in many ways.  

In light of the intense stress and fear in these unprecedented time I think it’s important to draw a connection between the physical and energetic bodies. Anatomically the pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sits at the base of your body lining the bowl of your pelvis. Energetically the pelvic floor sits in and surrounds the first (root) chakra of the energetic body. To boil it down really briefly the root chakra represents our basic instinctual survival needs. It deals with things like safety, boundaries, security, our ancestors and family, how supported we feel.

Ok, nobody's vagina NEEDS to go on retreat...but then again, nobody really needs to travel to the world to find themselves or do 100 vinyasas a day to find enlightenment, either. We practice because we know and value the benefits it brings to our daily life. Well, as a CYT and Doctor of Physical Therapy (PT) with a specialty practice in pelvic health I have found that together, yoga and PT can heal and radically improve the lives of patients and yogis alike...and I can tell you with professional certainty that your vagina is an important part of the Mind-Body-Spirit equation.

It’s always nice to attend a continuing education course that involves savanasa (or “lying on the floor resting pose” for you non-yogis).  It’s even nicer to be part of a pelvic floor continuing education course which doesn’t involve everyone disrobing from the waist down and practicing on each other.  For you pelvic floor therapists out there, I know you know what I mean.  For the rest of you, let’s just say our education is experiential!   I have to say that it’s refreshing to trade the usual lube and gloves routine for yoga mats and practice breathing!

My greatest apologies for those of you have been waiting for Part II of Amy’s story!  Exciting things have been happening over here in sunny Southern California with the new practice and lots of amazing professional opportunities.  If you can recall a couple of weeks ago I began a case study about a former patient named Amy*.  Amy had a two year history of pelvic pain associated with some gastrointestinal issues and a stressful lifestyle.  Check back to Mind-Body Case Story Part 1 if you haven’t yet read her history or my objective findings.  Today we'll cover my assessment, treatment plan, goals for recovery, and most importantly, how a mindful approach to physical therapy helped to heal Amy's pelvic pain!

My third blog was going to be a little bit more information about me, but that's going to have to wait because on Monday night I saw Shannon Cohn's documentary "Endo What?" and IT WAS AMAZING.  Not only was the movie itself incredible, but the panel of specialists who spent an hour discussing endometriosis after the film was top-notch.  Shannon's resume and welcoming smile are a killer combo of super smart accomplished lady and the ultimate genuine advocator.  She has created a heartfelt and comprehensive film that is SO necessary for increasing endometriosis awareness, and I encourage you all to go watch it!