Coco Berlin, 43, from Germany is a body, mind, and soul coach for women and the creator of Essence of Belly dance and Sensuous Dance Workout, her own dancing methods.
Coco has danced all over the world, been on major TV shows, and has now created a teaching certification course and her first DVD.
“People tell me I look 20 years younger than other women my age, and I’m absolutely convinced that’s thanks to the time I spend focusing on my pelvic floor,” the 43-year-old wrote in her hit book. “I find it quite amusing that people assume I have a face full of Botox. I’d never touch it!”
Coco studied architecture but left that career to work as a belly dancer, complete with toned abs and glutes and levator ani, or pelvic floor musculature.
Her book has been a runaway bestseller in Europe, where women are more used to talk about the function and dysfunction of the pelvic floor, especially after giving birth.
Study shows that a third of all women experience a pelvic-floor problem and has no idea about it.
It is the mound of muscles inside the pelvis that is designed to support the organs and like all muscles, they weaken with age, and this is exacerbated by childbirth, menopause, obesity, and our sedentary lifestyles.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common condition where the person is unable to correctly relax and coordinate the muscles on the pelvic floor to urinate or to have a bowel movement.
The generalized tissue thinning and muscle wastage that occurs as part of menopause in midlife can weaken it. The result is those embarrassing leaks when you cough, sneeze or jump.
Coco resolves this kind of issue with a combination of a candid approach and scientific research. She considers some of us doing the pelvic floor exercises wrong.
Her methods involve breathing techniques, mindfulness, and deep relaxation, and are based on the understanding that the pelvic floor plays a greater role in female health and wellbeing than we’ve previously realized.
It may sound boring but if it could make your physical appearance look good as well. The belly dancer believes that her finely-tuned pelvic floor is the reason behind her youthful looks.
Scientists are beginning to understand the full role played by fascia a connective tissue that flows around all the organs in the pelvis and works with the pelvic floor muscles to hold everything in place.
Many believe it also acts as a communication channel linking to the nervous system and the brain.
Coco says that by working to relax and strengthen these tissues, we can unlock trapped channels, allowing for a healthier flow of the hormones and feel-good endorphins that help us look and feel young.
“Many of us have become disconnected from that part of the body, but its fitness and integration have a direct impact on the overall health and alignment of your entire body.” the soul coach says.
Coco’s desire to be a brilliant belly dancer is the reason why she got interested in the pelvic floor 15 years ago. She learned that the best dancers in the world were those who developed a deep mental and physical connection with their pelvis and pelvic floor.
“It’s not a question of how hard you can squeeze the muscles. It’s about getting movement and energy into the whole pelvic area,” she explains. “Sensuous awareness’ is the only way to train the pelvic floor effectively.”
“A loose or tense pelvic floor pulls the pelvic bones out of balance, which in turn leads to poor posture,” she added. “As a result, internal organs can slide downwards, and important nerves can end up being pinched, which means they can no longer transmit sexy sensations to your brain.”
“An activated pelvic floor stimulates the nerves in your entire pelvic area, making you more sensitive and orgasmic,” Coco added. “You’ll be amazed at how your erotic sensitivity increases a thousandfold when all your nerve endings can communicate with your brain unhindered.”
She says that based on scientific research, satisfying love life can make women feel more sure of themselves, more creative, and more courageous.
Developing a stronger connection to your body can also help to transform your self-image and boost confidence.
Coco Berlin is clearly the modern poster-girl for the pelvic floor.