From Pelvic Floor to Whole Self: A Conversation with Dr. Tia Ukpe-Wallace and Krishna Dholakia

The pelvis, home to our reproductive, digestive, and eliminatory systems, is responsive to stress, pregnancy, birth, hormones, lifestyle, and trauma. When balanced, it supports vitality and ease. When out of balance, it can profoundly affect quality of life. Joining the conversation are two extraordinary practitioners: Dr. Tia Ukpe-Wallace, an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist, yoga teacher, and founder of Self-Care Physio, whose own pelvic floor challenges and pregnancy loss fueled her passion for empowering women with knowledge and healing practices. Krishna Dholakia, a nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, and yoga and mindfulness teacher. Through her practice Om and Spice Wellness, Krishna offers an integrative approach to women’s health from preconception through menopause, weaving together nutrition, mindfulness, yoga, and bodywork. Together, they share insights from their upcoming Esalen workshop on pelvic health, covering pelvic floor anatomy, menstrual and sexual health, nutrition and digestion, mindfulness, yoga, and community-building practices. Their goal: to help participants increase knowledge, self-awareness, and literacy around pelvic and reproductive health while cultivating a supportive community and a lifelong toolkit of self-care practices. This conversation is guest hosted by Shira Levine, Esalen’s Director of Communications and Storytelling, whose background spans documentary film, editorial journalism, and global communications with organizations ranging from the United Nations to leading print and digital outlets. Esalen workshop: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/pelvic-health-self-care-retreat-exploring-the-pelvis-through-anatomy-nutrition-and-the-nervous-system-10102025