DON'T GO WITH THE FLOW

Strictly pro opens up on ‘embarrassing’ health condition as she admits ‘it was scary’

She revealed the dance routine that helped her

FORMER Strictly Come Dancing pro Kristina Rihanoff has bravely opened up about struggling with bladder weakness after giving birth to her daughter Mila eight years ago.

Kristina shares Mila with her partner, rugby star Ben Cohen, and revealed how she initially felt too ashamed to seek help.

Advertisement
Kristina Rihanoff with Ben CohenCredit: Getty
Kristina and Ben welcomed Mila eight years agoCredit: Instagram / krihanoff
The Strictly pro opened up on experiencing a weak bladder after giving birthCredit: Instagram/krihanoff

She told Closer magazine: “I didn’t really talk to anyone at the time, I felt embarrassed.

“I didn’t in a million years think I’d have issues, but I couldn’t feel my pelvic floor muscles or my core.

“It was scary, because you need those muscles to be coordinated on the dance floor.”

Bladder weakness is far from uncommon.

Advertisement

According Tena, one in three women experiences the issue after childbirth or menopause.

However, Kristina, who quit Strictly in 2015 and is now a qualified yoga instructor, wants women to know that recovery is possible.

“You can get back to normal; I did and it’s never too late. You just have to work on the right muscles,” she added.

To help other women, Kristina recommended an online programme called , which focuses on rebuilding core and pelvic floor strength.

Advertisement

Most read in News TV

health shock
Gavin and Stacey star shares symptoms after suffering life-threatening illness
BIKINI BABE
Love Island's Lucinda strips off amid All Stars rumours
mystery solved?
Ruth Jones drops clue to what happened on Gavin and Stacey’s fishing trip
WHAT'S OCCURIN'
Where Gavin & Stacey cast are now - including star who was hit by a train

She said: “It’s really easy, and you can do just five to 10 minutes a day.”

The professional dancer also shared a simple exercise tip using a small Pilates ball to assist with pelvic floor workouts.

, has developed a dance routine incorporating Kegels and gentle exercises.

When returning to dancing, Kristina noticed a significant change in her core and pelvic floor muscles, which forced her to take eight months away to focus on yoga, breath work and Pilates.

Kristina added: “I’m so passionate about this campaign because I feel like it’s time for us to come together, break the stigma and start talking about this issue.

“We need to empower women to seek the help they need, to talk about this problem without feeling embarrassed and support all those women who might be struggling.

Advertisement

“All these issues are completely natural, and we shouldn’t feel inadequate about our bodies.

“We need to show you can be positive and happy and make real changes with simple exercises which can be done at home.

“People can’t understand their pelvic floors, it is like an enigma, and no one talks about it, no-one knows where it is – you have to find it, make fun of it, laugh about it and address it.”

Advertisement
The star rose to fame as a pro dancer on StrictlyCredit: BBC
Kristina welcomed her daughter in 2016Credit: Instagram / krihanoff
Kristina developed a dance routine that helped her childbirth recoveryCredit: Yeliz Kurt
Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com