Endometriosis: Learning to Work With My Body

Living with Endometriosis

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month—a time to bring visibility to a condition that affects so many, yet is still widely misunderstood.

I am one of them.

I am 1 in 10.

Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth, yet many wait 7 to 10 years for a diagnosis—often being dismissed or misunderstood along the way.

While it’s often thought of as a pelvic condition, it’s now understood to be a whole-body disease that can impact other areas such as the bowel, bladder, and in more rare cases, even the lungs.

My journey with endometriosis has been long and, at times, incredibly heavy. It included over 10 years of infertility and trying to conceive, alongside a diagnosis that took 10 years to receive.

I underwent four laparoscopic surgeries, including one excision procedure. There was a time when the chronic pain led me to consider a hysterectomy—an option that can be the right choice for many.

More recently, I was also diagnosed with adenomyosis, something I often think of as endometriosis’ lesser-known and often more complex counterpart. And like many living with endometriosis, I spent a long time searching for answers—trying to understand my body, my pain, and what healing could look like.

Over time, I began to find pieces of that healing through approaches that worked with my body rather than against it.

Yoga became a sanctuary for me—a place where I could begin to surrender, soften, and slowly learn to accept my body and my journey. There were many moments on my mat where I cried, releasing layers I hadn’t even realized I was holding. It became a profound part of my healing.

Visceral work allowed me to reconnect from the inside out—supporting movement from within the body and helping to ease restrictions not only from the disease itself, but also from surgical interventions and scar tissue.

And over time, nervous system support became a key piece in how I related to pain—shifting from something I was constantly fighting, to something I could begin to understand and work with.

Endometriosis doesn’t just affect the person living in the body—it ripples outward. It impacts relationships, families, friendships, and partners who witness the pain, the fatigue, and the unpredictability of it all.

Today, my endometriosis feels more supported and manageable. It’s not gone—but it no longer feels like it controls every part of my life.

More than that, I’ve come to a place of deeper acceptance with my body and my journey. This experience has shaped me in ways I couldn’t have understood at the time—both personally and in the way I now support others.

And while my path didn’t include having my own biological children, I feel a sense of peace with how my story has unfolded. I feel deeply grateful to be a stepmom to an incredible kid, and that piece of my life holds a lot of meaning for me.

How This Shaped My Work

My personal experience is a big part of what shaped how I work today.

I understand—both personally and professionally—that living with endometriosis requires a different kind of support. One that listens to the body, rather than trying to override it.

In my practice, I support clients navigating endometriosis through a body-based, nervous-system-aware approach:

• Visceral work to support mobility around organs, adhesions, and surgical scar tissue—including from laparoscopic procedures and hysterectomies

• Craniosacral therapy to address fascial restrictions and help regulate the nervous system

• Gentle, body-aware movement to reduce guarding patterns and support more ease in the body

This work isn’t about “fixing” endometriosis—but about creating more space, reducing pain, and helping the body feel safer.

I also recognize that support for endometriosis often looks different for each person, and can include a range of approaches.

Depending on the individual, this might include things like acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, gentle chiropractic care, lymphatic work, Bowen therapy, or pelvic floor physiotherapy.

This kind of support is often most effective when it’s collaborative—meeting the body from different angles, at a pace that feels safe and sustainable.

A client navigating endometriosis shared this after a few sessions:

“When I first came in, I was experiencing daily pain, especially through my pelvis and upper chest/shoulder areas. Over time, I’ve noticed a real shift—my pain has been gradually lessening, and I feel more at ease in my body. What stands out most is how supported I feel during each session. Shanda is very attuned to what my body can handle and always makes me feel heard.”

A Gentle Offering for Endometriosis Support

As part of Endometriosis Awareness Month, I’ve created a short, gentle movement practice designed specifically for those living with endometriosis.

This is not a typical yoga class. It’s slow, supportive, and designed to meet your body where it’s at—especially on days when pain or fatigue are present.

It focuses on breath, subtle movement, and reducing tension patterns—without pushing, forcing, or stretching beyond what feels safe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ981uSpVTU

If you are living with endometriosis, you are not alone.

Whether you’re newly navigating a diagnosis or have been on this path for years, there is space for support that feels different—more collaborative, more respectful of your body, and more attuned to your experience and your body.