The Pelvis - Outside In & Inside Out

Perth, Western Australia

Feb 21, 22, 23, 2025

ABOUT: 

The focus of the 3day workshop will be on the internal and external pelvis, the changes it is capable of, the stories it holds, the habits and conditions that affect it.
Complex anatomy and soft tissue knowledge will be creatively woven together into easy yet highly effective hands-on body skills and internal body work. 

These newfound skills can be used to support your understanding of your own body and health and when shared, will significantly support a mother and baby through the birth journey. 

3day FLOW........... 

The Bony Pelvis: 

A woman’s pelvis is a magnificent piece of architecture containing her powerhouse...her womb. 

When working in the world of birth it is always helpful to be very familiar with our external pelvic bony landmarks. This creates an awareness, orientation and grounding with the pelvis, and helps to demystify the often baffling 3D wonderland of the pelvis. 

But how well do you really know your bony pelvis?
What is the true angle of the dangle? Why is the backside so intrinsic to birth?
We’ll explore these alive, adaptable bones and pay particular attention to the sacrum. Did you know that the word sacrum comes from the Latin word ‘sacer’, which means sacred? 

The Soft Pelvis: 

All organs in the body are supported by soft tissue connections. The pelvis being the bony guardian of a woman’s reproductive organs, also has a multitude of ligaments, fascia and muscles supporting the bladder, bowel and womb (with her cervix and vagina). The intention of these fibres is to hold the organs in a balanced, suspensory fashion. The capacity of these fibres to accommodate changes within the pelvis, most notably pregnancy, is extraordinary. 

We’ll delve deep into discussions about the cervix and her support crew and find out where she goes during birth; uncover the ‘mysteries’ of the pelvic floor muscles; understand the role of ligaments and their potential impact on birth if holding tension; and more....... 

Touch & Tenderness: 

There are hundreds of hands-on techniques that can help create anatomical and physiological potential for pregnancy & birth. They are an important aid to relaxation, the release of compensatory and unconscious tensions, and the optimising the baby's position and pelvic dimensions. But when you use your hands, and use techniques, how do you touch? What do you notice? What is your intention? How do you engage with a highly sensitive woman? The way you touch can either greatly enhance a technique or make it ineffective. Important touch considerations lay a foundation for the practice of techniques and a better understanding of the dynamics of giving and receiving. 

We’ll explore respectful touch, what we notice and our intention when we touch. 

The Breath: 

Employing the breath appropriately will amplify any touch/bodywork, and birth preparation. It enables presence, supreme focus, tension release and an increase of circulation and function to pelvic structures and systems. 

We’ll explore
"Directed Breathing" - a highly effective practice to share with pregnant women & a key skill to utilise in any simple or complex birth. 

Internal Pelvic Release Work: 

Internal Pelvic Release Work is a form of bodywork that connects us to the soft tissues of the pelvis or ‘the soft pelvis’ as opposed to the bony pelvis.
As in any other area of the body, soft tissues can hold tension. Tension can be conscious or unconscious. 

Tension can stem from scars, injuries, postural habits, trauma, surgery, hobby or lifestyle choices.
Tension can restrict movement, flow, expansion, space of the bones and of the organs. 

Tension in soft tissues can hold memories and emotions. We can hold ‘issues in the tissues’. 

During an internal pelvic release work tension can be identified and invited to release with tender direct touch, so allowing the tissues to sigh. When tissues sigh, space is created. 

The purpose of this work is: 

• • to prepare for birth by releasing tension in the pelvic tissues during pregnancy, so allowing the sacrum to swing. In so doing, a woman’s confidence in her birthing goods increases, second stage of labour is shorter, trauma to a woman’s vagina is significantly reduced and there is less need for instrumental delivery of the baby. Women can become aware of unconscious tension held in the soft tissues of the pelvis and feel the transformation in the elasticity in the fibres when tension and congestion are released. 
  • to explore the pelvic space to gain familiarity, locate and resolve pre-existing pain, identify womb & cervix placement 
  • to heal vaginal trauma that may have occurred from birth, injury, abuse or tension of unknown origin. 

Internal Work is not difficult. Anyone can learn how to share this invaluable information with another.
You will be invited to work with another exploring the internal space in a gentle, respectful way while maintaining privacy. 

Who is this 3day workshop for? 

Any health care provider who works with birth and has a will to learn more about her pelvis.

***Numbers limited*** 

Dates: 

Feb 21, 22, 23 2025

Time: 

8.30am – 5pm each day

Location: 

Unit 13/ 1 The Gateway
Edgewater 6027 WA

Price: 

$1450 

(Full payment is required on registration. A full refund will be given for cancellations up to Jan 21. After Jan 21 $1000 will be refunded and $450 retained)

Bio:

Fiona Hallinan 

Fiona is a registered nurse, registered midwife and bodyworker.
Fiona was initially taught ‘internal work’ by a knowledgeable teacher, Wintergreen, back in the early ‘90’s for the purpose of easing the pushing phase of birth and avoiding harm to mother’s tissues. 

She then studied different bodywork modalities. The practice of ‘internal work’ expanded after encountering many women with a plethora of ‘other’ pelvic discomforts, scars, or traumas and many women with confusion about their pelvic space and organs. Internal Pelvic Release Work was created and continues to expand.

Fiona, along with Jenny Blyth & Andrea Lopez, developed the Internal Pelvic Release Work Mentoring Program. The Program is taught annually.
Additionally, Fiona teaches Spinning Babies® Workshops as an Approved Trainer and Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner Trainer.

In between times Fiona has 1:1 sessions with women for pelvic release work and education. 

thepelvicspace.com.au