Releasing Pelvic Floor Tension with Somatic Movement

One of the things I love most about somatic movement is how it invites us to slow down and really listen to our bodies. Not just the big movements, but the quiet, subtle ones—the shifts in breath, the sensations that touch our skin, the awareness of our muscles holding tension.

When practicing somatic movement, we become more attuned to our body’s internal signals—its way of telling us how it's showing up. Like a conversation with a friend, we learn to meet those signals (even the tense or uncomfortable ones) with understanding, compassion, and care.

Through my work with women in both Pilates and somatic movement, I often hear about tension being held in the pelvic floor. It’s something many of us carry quietly—and we don’t have to carry it alone.

It takes courage to acknowledge that such an intimate part of the body may be holding tension. But in that vulnerability, there’s an opportunity for shared support, understanding, and healing—rooted in knowledge and community. Pelvic floor tension can be caused by so many factors—trauma, stress, pregnancy, childbirth, or even something as simple as poor posture. And because every woman’s experience is different, what helps one person may not be the answer for another.

That’s why it’s so important to look at both the physical structure of the pelvic floor and the role the nervous system plays in tension and pain—I recently had the pleasure of collaborating on an article for RUSSH magazine, written by the lovely Genevieve Phelan, all about the relationship between our nervous system and pelvic floor tension. It explores how embodied awareness—developed through somatic movement—can be combined with the strengthening and mobility work of Pilates to calm the nervous system and help release deep-held tension. This approach offers not just short-term relief, but long-term wellbeing.

This article is a must-read for anyone experiencing pelvic floor tension—whether you’re just beginning to explore this connection or have been navigating it for years. It’s a gentle reminder that you’re not alone in your experience, and that with the right support, understanding, and body-based techniques, it’s possible to release, restore, and regulate not just your pelvic floor—but your entire soma.