Applied Childbirth Physiology & Pelvic Floor Health Intensive
Training Prospectus
Why We're Here
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We created this CET because we see the need for yoga teachers, movement professionals and birthworkers who work with prenatal and postnatal persons, to understand the physiological process of labour and birth and how the pelvic floor responds to those changes.
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Most prenatal and postnatal trainings in movement fields like yoga and pilates might touch on joints, muscles and ligaments of the pelvis, from the viewpoint of needing to stabilise and strengthen (during pregnancy), as well as recover (post-birth). What's often left out are the biomechanical processes that need to occur during labour and birth, including how the cervix changes with the movement of the fetus during labour, and what movement principles and positions can encourage or inhibit those processes to occur.
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We want to take a deeper dive into the world of pelvic health beyond 'kegels', and equip facilitators with a wider appreciation of the pelvic floor as an integral part of a larger core and respiratory system.
Why Take This CET?
Most prenatal and postnatal trainings often gloss over the biomechanical processes that need to occur during labour and birth, including how the cervix changes with the movement of the fetus during labour, and what movement principles and positions can encourage or inhibit those processes to occur.
This requires a different lens of looking at the pelvis - from its structure to the soft tissue components which include the uterus and the uterine ligaments. In this course, you will learn:
• how the pelvis modifies structurally• what allows for those modifications
• what are the movement principles that will help create space, suppleness and strength
• relationship of the breath to the pelvic floor
We will also look at the biomechanics of breathing and how the breath plays a critical role in labouring and pushing. This CET is part of mission to centre the wonder of the birthing body from its anatomy to its physiology and psychology.
Course Details
COURSE BREAKDOWN
This Yoga Alliance accredited training adopts a hybrid learning model consisting of in-person and on-demand modules. We will prioritise in-person interactions for hands on practicums, peer teaching and deliberative discussions.
100% attendance and completion of modules is required for graduation.
DAYS/TIMES
Please note that this course will be offered as part of our 100H Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training in Jul 2025.
| Day | Dates | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wed & Thurs (PM) | 23 Jul 24 Jul |
8am - 6pm 1pm - 6pm |
Programme Director & Lead Trainer
DEWI CHEN
(she/her)
RYT200,RPYT,
CD/PCD(DONA),GGS CPPC,SpBCPE,BRM Pro
Dewi (she/her) embarked on her yoga journey in the realm of traditional Hatha Yoga, obtaining her 200H certification as a yogini. From there, she delved deeper into the expansive universe of yoga and psychology, immersing herself in Yin Yoga (200H), Forrest Yoga, Pre/Post-natal Yoga, Kids & Family Yoga, Well-Woman Yoga & Therapy (Womb Yoga), Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory and Yoga Nidra.
Fuelled by the wisdom gleaned from bodyworkers and therapists, including her own mother, Dewi's path organically evolved into the realm of remedial bodywork and therapy. Her expertise now encompasses Sports Massage Therapy and Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy. With a deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology, viewed through the lens of therapy and movement rehabilitation, Dewi crafts her group classes with precision and insight. Her passion lies in empowering her clients to recognize their innate intelligence, allure, and resilience.
Driven by a fervent desire to support mothers from #wombtoworld, Dewi expanded her expertise as a certified birth and postpartum doula under the prestigious DONA International in 2019. She's also a certified Evidence Based Birth® instructor, Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator, Body Ready Method® Pro, and Girls Gone Strong Prenatal and Postpartum Coach. Drawing from her rich experiences in childbirth education and doula work at Wonder Births, Dewi infuses her pre-natal and post-natal yoga classes with a unique blend of wisdom and compassion. Currently, she's on a mission to curate a collection of pelvic models, with aspirations to craft her own design someday.
Dewi's ability to break down complex topics into simpler terms for her teacher trainees stems from her commitment to making yoga accessible to all. Her trauma-aware approach to teaching is deeply rooted in her belief that we have a duty to be responsible and caring as movement facilitators. Through ongoing training and education, she continues to refine her skills in trauma-awareness, ensuring that her classes are brave and supportive spaces as much as possible.
Co-Trainer
PREET SINGH
Senior Women’s Health Physiotherapist & Director of Embrace Physiotherapy; Graduate Certificate in Clinical Physiotherapy (Continence and Women’s Health), Curtin University Master of Physiotherapy, University of Sydney Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sports Science), University of Sydney DMA Clinical Pilates Unit A Level 1 Lactation course for Allied Health Professionals
After graduating from the University of Sydney in 2007, Preet has been on a path of professional discovery, developing a diverse skill set having worked in major hospitals, aged care and private practices both in Singapore and Australia. Originally from Australia, Preet moved to Singapore in 2011 and after almost giving up on Physiotherapy, she found her calling. During a 5-year long maternity leave, raising 3 young children and with a handful of pelvic floor woes, she discovered Women’s Health Physiotherapy and hasn’t looked back.
In 2019, Preet established Embrace Physiotherapy, a clinic that focuses on pelvic health. Preet is passionate about starting the conversation on below the belt issues and loves helping women overcome pelvic floor dysfunction including pelvic and sexual pain disorders, recurrent UTI’s and bowel dysfunction. Preet is a AHPC Singapore registered Physiotherapist and AHPRA Australia registered Physiotherapist as well as a member of Singapore Physiotherapy Association.
Syllabus
Anatomy & Physiology of Birthing Body
- Key soft tissues
- Pelvic movements and modifications
Anatomy & Physiology of Labour & Childbirth
- Reframing the labour process
- The Cardinal Positions of the Fetus
- Biomechanical adapations of the pelvis
- Understanding the cervix
- Fetal positioning and labour outcomes
- Breath mechanics in labour and pushing
Pelvic Floor Health
- Key musculature and ligaments of the pelvic floor
- Pelvic Floor dysfunctions and impact to pregnancy and labour outcomes
- Diagnostic assessments to assess pelvic floor health
- Diagnostic assessments to assess pelvic floor mobility
What We Strive For
A cyclical understanding towards life
Pregnancy and birthing is a significant period in one’s life with its several iterations and nuances, but it is not the only period that needs attention and care. To be able to serve birthing people well during this time, we need to consider the whole spectrum of their lives. For this reason, this course takes a #wombtoworld approach and touches on pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period.
An ode to the pregnant and birthing body
The pregnant and birthing body deserves attention and respect, especially in a world where this body is often viewed through the lens of medicine and healthcare. We believe that it is possible to acknowledge the advances of reproductive healthcare in saving the lives of birthers and infants, and likewise mourn the loss of agency and autonomy - preventable losses in our view - losses that have led to the view that the pregnant and birthing body is fragile and sick.
Enduring empowerment through knowledge, care and safety
We want to empower everyone with the knowledge and tools they need to have an empowering pregnancy and birth - we view empowerment in this time as seeing yourself as worthy of being seen and heard, being in control of your choices and be granted respected in a world where there may be none given. Parallel to this, we believe that if we approach prenatal yoga through the lens of trauma-informed care, we not only empower birthing people to have safe and fulfilling pregnancy and birth experiences, but the people that come under their care would benefit from having empowered parents and caregivers in their lives - perhaps they may replicate those qualities of empowerment too.
