The Empowered Pelvis: Yoga to Reduce Incontinence, Pain & Improve Pelvic Health

Imagine reclaiming your body's foundation—moving with ease, confidence, and freedom from the concerns that have quietly limited your life. The Empowered Pelvis is a transformative weekend retreat designed to heal and strengthen one of the body's most vital yet overlooked regions through the wisdom of yoga and evidence-based pelvic floor therapy. Led by Leslie Howard, a renowned yoga therapist and pelvic floor specialist, this retreat at Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Buckingham, VA, addresses a challenge affecting one in four Americans: pelvic floor dysfunction that impacts physical function, emotional wellbeing, and social confidence.

Whether you're managing incontinence, pelvic pain, or simply seeking deeper awareness of your body's core system, this retreat offers a compassionate, anatomically informed path forward. Drawing on groundbreaking research—including a University of California, San Francisco study showing 70% reduction in bladder dysfunction—Leslie's teaching integrates gentle asana, pranayama, meditation, and targeted awareness practices specifically designed to build tone, balance, and lasting confidence in the pelvic floor.

This is yoga for reclamation and wholeness. You'll leave with practical techniques you can integrate into daily life, a clearer understanding of your anatomy, and the embodied knowledge that healing is possible.

What to Expect

Over this retreat weekend, you'll receive comprehensive pelvic floor education woven seamlessly into accessible yoga practice. Sessions blend anatomical instruction with gentle asana designed to strengthen and stabilize the pelvic floor without strain, complemented by pranayama and meditation to deepen body awareness and ease tension held in this region. Leslie's teaching approach honors both the physical and emotional dimensions of pelvic health, creating a safe container for all levels—whether you're new to yoga or an experienced practitioner addressing specific concerns.

You'll learn:
- Proper engagement and release techniques for sustainable pelvic floor tone
- How the pelvic floor connects to core stability and whole-body movement
- Breathing practices and meditation to calm the nervous system and release tension
- Practical tools to address incontinence, pain, and dysfunction in your daily life

The atmosphere is supportive, non-judgmental, and deeply grounded in both ancient yoga wisdom and modern science.

Venue & Logistics

This retreat takes place at Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville, a serene spiritual community nestled in Buckingham, Virginia. The ashram's peaceful grounds provide the ideal setting for deep healing work. Please wear comfortable clothing you can move freely in, and bring a yoga mat if you have a preferred one. The teaching is accessible for all bodies and levels of experience. For specific accessibility questions or accommodations, contact the ashram directly.