This is a complete movement system, a series of breathing and poses that is an alternative approach to traditional core training.

It is based around respiratory training focusing on lateral rib cage movement, specific poses, myofascial release and neurodynamics, restoring posture and enhancing myo-fascial mobility.

It uses posture and breath, to involuntarily and safely strengthen our deepest core stabilizing system, restoring function to the pelvic floor, abdominals, postural muscles and the diaphragm. (No Kegels, curl ups, hundreds or planks involved).

Hypopressives translates to ‘reduced pressure’. A hypopressive or abdominal ‘vacuum’ is used in this system to reduce pressure throughout the abdomen and pelvic girdle.

In addition to the benefits to the pelvic floor/core and surrounding muscles, this system can be used as a general body maintenance class for improved postural alignment, regulating and calming the nervous system due to the stimulation of the Vagus nerve and slimming the waist. Beneficial also to singers, dancers and athletes to enhance performance.

We learn how to train and balance our breathing, our muscles, and our connective tissue in order to better manage these day-to-day pressures to feel, move and perform at our absolute best.

Classes start with a warm up, focusing on releasing tension in the diaphragm. Poses are then performed standing, kneeling upright, on all fours (quadruped) and lying down on your back. Small props are utilized to assist in poses and fascial release. As you advance, more dynamic poses are added. The class ends with a relaxing cool down.

Initially developed as a non-surgical treatment for women with pelvic floor health issues, over time, this once specialized technique has evolved as an essential body health maintenance system.

Beneficial for:

• General Heath and wellbeing

• Lower back pain

• Shoulder girdle pain

• Pelvic floor dysfunction (including pelvic organ prolapse, stress incontinence i.e. leaking urine when you cough/sneeze/ jump/run etc.)

• Diastasis

• Post-partum recovery

• Slimming the waist line

• Improving posture and respiration

• Balancing the autonomic nervous system

The pressure inside our core constantly changes through life, think pregnancy, birth - menopause, breathing, bending/moving, exercise, jumping, coughing, sneezing, using the toilet etc. all of which our body has to regulate and manage the changes. This pressure often travels to the path of least resistance.

With the reduction in pressure in the abdominal cavity whilst holding the apnea, in specific poses, comes a positive effect on relieving a broad range of symptoms, including Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), Diastasis Recti and urinary stress incontinence (such as leaking when coughing/sneezing).

A calm, relaxing playlist is the backdrop to this class. The movement and breath pattern is focused, steady, sometimes intense, but always calm and accurate.

This movement system does a great job of balancing the autonomic nervous system. You’ll feel lighter, taller, more refreshed and clearer in both body and mind.

If you have been attending this class and then become pregnant: LPF is a complete movement system which can be practiced during pregnancy but please avoid the vacuum maneuver. Replace the vacuum with two or so more breaths, most of the poses can still be performed (but not the vacuum/apneas).

Note: Some poses lying down on your back may not be suitable past 2nd trimester and may need to be replaced with alternative positions.

If you are already pregnant but have never practiced this method, please wait until postpartum to start.

Please email Victoria with any questions: info@chapelhousestudios.com

Please wait at least 6-8 weeks after a vaginal delivery, that is once you’ve had the all clear from your postnatal check. Please wait 12 weeks after a c-section.

We work in poses standing upright, as well standing with head towards the floor, lying down on our back, sides, front; kneeling on our shins, kneeling on one knee (lunge) and on all fours.

If you have trouble moving down to the floor and back up without assistance, or kneeling is unavailable to you etc. this class, in it’s current form, won’t be suitable for you.

Please email victoria: info@chapelhousestudios.com to discuss your needs, as a modified class may be required.

The vacuum maneuver is not suitable during pregnancy or for anyone with uncontrolled blood pressure, heart disease, stomach/intestinal inflammation and health conditions where the medical advice recommends avoiding physical activity.

Please wait at least 12 weeks for healing to occur (before practicing the vacuum) after major surgery, including abdominal and gynecological surgeries.

If working on a specific dysfunction (stress incontinence / pelvic organ prolapse for example) 10 mins* of hypo, repeated 3 x times a week at home (in addition to the weekly studio class) will help create results. (*Practice for 8 mins as a min. to 20mins per session at home as a max). Please give yourself at least 3 months to see results; (note - rectoceles generally take longer than cystoceles).

Continued practice will help create and maintain your results.

Victoria Lowry is a Level 3 Hypopressives Trainer. Read more about her on the ‘about’ page.

Wear your general workout clothing, basically anything that you are comfortable moving in (i.e leggings/light joggers and a t-shirt).

Wearing a cropped/rolled up top can help to see the abdominal vacuum maneuver.

Wear bare feet (bring socks in case your feet get cold) and you might want a layer to wear at the end, as we cool down.

• Bring a bottle of water.

• All props and mats are provided.

Classes take place at Chapel House Studios, Station Road, Totnes TQ9 5HW.

Follow this link for the latest Course Dates and price.

(www.chapelhousestudios.com)

Classes are 50mins. Classes start and finish promptly.

Please don’t enter the studio more than 5 mins late as you need to join in the warm up to work safely in class.

If it’s your first class please arrive 10mins early so I can chat to you and learn about your body. I will ask you if you have any injuries/movement limitations via a PARQ form.