How To Use The Pelvic Serpent: For Pleasure & Tension Release

The Pelvic Serpent

You may have seen our wand, The Pelvic Serpent and wondered ‘How is that supposed to be used?’ 

The Pelvic Serpent was designed for those who experience pelvic pain, tension and conditions that can cause difficulty enjoying sex and intimacy. Vulvodynia, Vestibulodynia, Vaginismus, Dyspareunia (painful intercourse), and postnatal perineal scar sensitivity; these are some of the many reasons our founder Rosie had in mind when she designed this wand.

The wand has two slightly different ends, both designed for gentle, internal stimulation and tension release. Both ends are tapered slightly with rounded tips for gently applying pressure to the vaginal walls. The tapered ends are a slim design, specifically for those who may experience painful penetration. The girth is slim, not over intimidating. This wand is designed to be a tool for your pelvic floor but also to be enjoyable and pleasurable. 

Dearmouring and Your Pelvic Floor

You may have heard of this term before, what’s often called ‘de-armouring’ in somatic work is referred to as pelvic floor muscle release or myofascial release in physiotherapy.

This is a technique and practice that focuses on trigger point release, working with your breath while using the wand to gently target your pelvic floor muscles from inside your vagina. 

We know that pelvic floor muscles can become tense, leading to a ‘clenching’ or uncomfortably ‘tight’ feeling that can cause pelvic, vaginal and vulvar pain. Your pelvic floor is made up of muscles, fascia (connective tissue) and blood vessels. When the muscles become tense, the surrounding fascia also becomes stiffer and small ‘knots’ or contractions of muscle fibres can form. This actively reduces blood flow and oxygen to your pelvic floor which can cause pain, discomfort, reduced vaginal  lubrication and impact your arousal response.

This can be caused by many reasons, from physical stress or injury, to emotional, mental or psychological stress. Sometimes, your pelvic floor can even hold tension for a reason that you are completely unaware of! Which is why this can feel frustrating and often overwhelming.

When your pelvic floor constantly experiences this tension, without release, your nervous system can begin to interpret chronic tension as normal. Your body can begin maintaining a state of high tension, often referred to as protective guarding.

When intimacy or penetration (either with a lover or with toys) causes pain, this can then cause the body to react with fear and increased tension. 

As a sexologist, I have spoken to many women and AFAB people who have explained that this feels incredibly overwhelming and often disempowering. The cycle of pain, fear and avoidance of intimacy due to the pain can become difficult to manage. 

I am here to tell you that your pelvic floor is incredible! And with time, patience and compassion, you can reduce the tension and pain and move towards pleasurable intimacy.

The important thing to remember here is that while taking a holistic approach with the right support such as your GP, sexual health therapist or physio, YOU also have the power to actively release this tension through your own practice. 

Dearmouring Using The Pelvic Serpent

Being Mindful of Your Head Space and Thought Process

Sometimes being told to do an exercise or a practice can feel like a chore. It can also feel like there is a huge amount of pressure to ‘get it right’ and ‘fix the problem’. What I want to emphasise here is that your mindset is everything.

This practice can be most beneficial when it is from a place of love and compassion for your body. Your body is wonderful, I’m sure it has achieved much in your life and has been the vessel that you have experienced so many wild and wonderful things. 

I would like for you to actively remind yourself of this when you feel frustrated and overwhelmed. This practice is for you to slowly, lovingly explore penetration and touch. With no pressure, no massive expectations… just you patiently teaching your body to become familiar with the touch and sensations. 

You will know when to pause or when to challenge yourself, your body will tell you. 

It’s your job, to be patient with your body, to remind yourself that this is a safe practice and that you are just exploring tension release and pleasure at your own pace. There is no timeline.

Setting Up Your Space

 

Set aside some time. It might be in your room or somewhere you can lay down. You might wish to have a mirror so you can see yourself or to put some candles/mood lighting with calming music. Have a warm shower or a bath and allow yourself to really settle into a relaxed state of mind. Whatever it is that you need to create the space, treat yourself and make it happen!

Warming Up Your Body Before Using The Wand

This is very important. If your pelvic floor is already a little over active and experiences pain from touch or penetration, I want you to take this really slowly and avoid going straight for genital touch. Listen to your music, maybe do some gentle stretches, tickle or massage your body and really feel the sensations. Your pelvic floor and vagina/yoni are not naturally prepared to be penetrated without being relaxed or turned on. 

Begin focusing on your breath, you may wish to use a breathwork app or take yourself through a sequence of 4-7-8. This is the fastest way to activate your parasympathetic nervous system, calming your body. 

You may like to slowly move towards external yoni touch. This might look like gently touching or massaging your inner thighs and moving to your vulva.

For some, this touch may be enough. I would encourage you to gently explore how your body responds to this touch, without pressure to use a toy or achieve penetration. 

Some days, you might feel ready to explore with penetration and other days, it may not feel comfortable. Both of these are okay and it is important that you listen to this and do not push yourself to experience penetration if your body is sending alarm signals to stop.

Adding a Water or Oil Based Lubrication

 

Make sure to generously apply your favourite lubricant, your body will love it! If you aren’t sure what to use, you can always use the Yinn Oil Based or Yinn Water Based Lubrications.

Even if you are feeling ready for penetration and naturally wet, it is always beneficial to add a little extra to support your body, vulva and vagina as you introduce a toy. Lubricants can be amazing when applied externally for massage, it just adds to the sensory experience!

Penetration and Your Breath

When you feel ready to use your wand, you can choose to start with either end.

You can use the tip and length of the wand to gentle touch and massage your vulva, familiarising your body with the texture and sensation before moving to penetration. 

It can be empowering to ask your body if it is ready, to speak to yourself either out loud or in the mind. 

This can sound like:

“This is a slow and loving practice just for me to enjoy, my body is safe here”
“Am I ready to explore a little further right now?

When you are ready you can move to some gentle penetration.

Start with gentle, shallow insertions, moving with your breath.

As you slowly insert the wand, take a breath in.

As you gently remove the wand, exhale.

Always start with shallow movements and work your way toward deeper penetration, if and when you feel ready.

For trigger point release, on an inhale, insert the wand and gently but firmly guide the end towards your vaginal wall, holding the pressure for a moment before releasing and exhaling.

Envision a clock, applying pressure at 12, 3, 6 and 9 to start. 

You can do this in a clockwise direction, moving and applying pressure to the different areas. 

You may start with this sequence or explore your internal walls at your own pace.

You can explore with or without the vibration settings. Some people find that the vibration is enjoyable while other may prefer to go vibration free depending on their mood or how their body responds. 

All options are possible.

Closing Your Practice

 

I highly recommend ensuring that you do not rush through this practice. 

Maybe you have somewhere to be or you are just feeling like you are ready to end the practice. Pop the wand down, place a hand over your vulva and yoni, mentally or out loud you can thank your body and send some love and compassion to your pelvic floor. 

This can look as simple as saying ‘thank you’. Or ‘I love you body, thank you for all you do for me’.

Navigating pelvic floor tension, pain and any of the above mentioned conditions, can be difficult. Remember that you have so much capacity and your body is capable of so much pleasure, even when you are facing challenges. 

Please remember that you are always welcome to reach out to me or any of our wonderful team members should you have any questions or need any support.

With love,
Annalise Webster
Your In-House Sexologist at YINNBODY