Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].

CHAPTER VI EXERCISES OF THE PELVIC FLOOR Most of the exercises recommended for the strengthening of the pelvic floor proceed indirectly : the pelvic floor is an accessory, as it were, in movements engineered by the neighbouring muscles of thighs and buttocks. And novices in these matters at once contract the great gluteal muscles with unnecessary energy when making their first efforts to activate the pelvic floor. But the mind and will should concentrate on the pelvic floor, during these exercises, as the centre from which the main result is hoped. It is wise to combine certain abdominal or general exercises with those of the pelvic floor, and, best of all, during the perineal relaxation, as phases of the same sequence. There are natural affinities, and again antipathies, in physical culture. Some movements combine very easily and happily; others, again, do not. If readers will refer to Chapter IV., they will find that, of the exercises therein described, the fourth and the eighth are particularly appropriate to the rhythmic tension and relaxation of the pelvic floor. In Exercise 8, and in its modifications c and d, this effect on the pelvic floor is almost automatic : at least no special effort of the will is necessary here. I would refer students of these exercises to Film 6, and its printed text. As the pelvis is drawn forward, the pelvic floor is contracted and, as the pelvis returns to its original position, the perineal muscles also relax, passively, i.e., without special volitional effort, as part of the cessation of the previous contraction. But we must carefully distinguish between such automatic effects and conscious vigorous contractions. The levator muscles are adequately contracted if and when the tension is felt up to the inner surface of the symphysis pubis : and this means definite and vigorous effort.