All you need to know about hypopressives

Hypopressive exercise was originally created by Marcel Caufriez as a breathing technique to be used in a clinical setting. A tool therapist could use to help post-natal women prevent and/or recover from pelvic floor dysfunction (incontinence, prolapse).

Tamara Rial and Piti Pinsach, from Spain, while working along side Marcel, recognised the need to create a fitness program that would help in the prevention as well as restoration of pelvic health, beyond the clinical setting.

This Hypopressive technique has become so much more than just a technique limited to those with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Hypopressive training has evolved into a Low Pressure Fitness program that is being used by both men and women of all ages who are seeking to not only restore their pelvic health but to train the true function of their core.  Traditional approaches to pelvic health and core exercise focus training one segment of the core at a time unlike the Hypopressive – Low Pressure Fitness programs approach to functional ‘core’ health.

Definition

The term ‘HYPOpressive’ refers to a decrease or reduction in pressure. This form of exercise reduces pressure to the thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities, where traditional exercises, abdominal training, gravity, as well as the majority of our daily activities are HYPERpressive – they increase intra-abdominal pressure.  It is not to say that doing these everyday activities and sports are bad for us, in fact most of what we do – even walking – increases this internal pressure. What we need to address is how well our bodies are able to manage these pressures and prevent the onset of injury/dysfunction.

If there is segment of the core that is not functioning optimally then the core as a whole will break down. Same is true for over training one segment of the core (often seen with abdominal and conventional core work) without considering the negative impact it can have on the equilibrium of the core as a whole.

Traditional approaches to pelvic health and core exercise focus too much attention on one segment of the core at a time when the function of the core needs to rely on the synergy these deep muscles (pelvic floor, transverse abdominals, mulitifidus within the back) to balance and counter balance our everyday living.

The Hypopressive – Low Pressure Fitness program addresses the true essence of the ‘core’ to perform synergistically as intended and is a global postural and breathing technique that considers the functional integrity of the human body.

The HYPOPRESSIVE exercise technique is a safe and effective way to train those muscles needed to withstand any problematic pressure that can result from our everyday living or exercise, and allow us to safely and confidently continue doing the activities we love.

Is HYPOPRESSIVE™ – Low Pressure Fitness for you?

This form of training is ideal for those who….

• suffer from a pelvic floor disorder such as incontinence, sexual dysfunction, or prolapse or would like to prevent such disorders
• you would like to train the true function of your core muscles without causing unwanted, problematic pressure to the pelvic floor
• you are interested in preparing your body for pregnancy
• you are ready to recover your pelvic health and safely improve your abdominal tone and diastasis recti after childbirth.
• you aim to decrease waist size, improve posture, flatten abdominals, improve circulation and respiration and or improve athletic performance
• The HYPOPRESSIVE – Low Pressure Fitness program is slightly modified if you are pregnant.