How Self-Care for Mobility Supports Whole-Body Health
Self-care for mobility plays a critical role in maintaining healthy movement patterns, preventing injuries, and restoring balance in the body. For this month’s Teacher Spotlight, we spoke with Erin Wen, an Osteopathic Manual Therapist (OMT) and movement specialist with over 15 years of experience. Erin’s work focuses on structural integration, breathwork, and myofascial release, helping people build strength from the inside out.
In this interview, she shares insights on pelvic floor health, mobility techniques, and how self-care supports long-term movement health. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing pain, or looking to improve performance, her expertise offers practical takeaways for anyone prioritizing self-care for mobility.
Interview led by Meghan Ruger with over 25 years of dance experience, starting in Dallas, Texas, and has now traveled the nation performing and teaching. After years of repetitive dance movements, Meg’s pain in her shoulders, hands, and feet was relieved by the Roll Model® Method. This new knowledge inspired Meg to complete more Tune Up Fitness courses; she continued to take Body By Breath and Yoga Tune Up® Teacher Certification to share it with her students and reawaken her love for anatomy.
Interview with Erin Wen, OMT
Discovering a Passion for Teaching
Meg: How many years have you been teaching?
Erin Wen: 15+ years
Meg: Why did you start teaching?
Erin Wen: I grew up dancing (jazz and ballet). When I realized I wouldn’t make a career out of dancing, I started practicing yoga, fell in love with it, and completed a teacher training during my undergrad.
Meg: What is your No. 1 tip for teachers?
Erin Wen: Teach what interests you!
Meg: How did you find Tune Up Fitness?
Erin Wen: I started using myofascial release balls, and Tune Up Fitness showed up on my Instagram.
Meg: How has our Yoga Tune Up® Certification Training impacted your offerings?
Erin Wen: It has completely changed how I teach and approach yoga. I now use many rolling techniques in class and with my clients.
The Science of Osteopathic Medicine
Meg: What is osteopathic medicine?
Erin Wen: It’s a treatment modality that involves gentle manipulations of the joints and muscles, integrating the whole body for optimum functioning.
Meg: Can you share a bit about your journey into osteopathic manipulative therapy?
Erin Wen: During my time in India, I, unfortunately, fell ill and was diagnosed with typhoid fever. After undergoing intensive antibiotic treatment, I experienced weakness, stagnation, hair loss, reduced appetite, bloating, and acne for several months. During this time, a close friend recommended I see an osteopath—a field I had previously been unfamiliar with.
I received intense osteopathic treatments for my digestive system and became so fascinated by the practice that I immersed myself in the clinic, offering assistance and learning from the practitioners. Despite initially feeling a distaste for cities, a strong inner drive compelled me to pursue a Master’s degree in Osteopathy and Naturopathy, which I completed in 2018 at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine. I also completed the Foundation Course at the Institute of Classical Osteopathy in the UK and obtained my doula certification from the Original Instructions School with Brittany Jade.
In 2019, I had the opportunity to spend several months at Manos Abiertas, a natural birth center in Ciudad Vieja, Guatemala. There, I provided osteopathic treatment and assisted women throughout their pregnancies and births. In 2022, I completed an intensive course in women’s pelvic floor with Martin Beaudoin, furthering my interest in women’s health. As a dedicated professional, I prioritize my clients’ well-being by focusing on structural integration and embracing a comprehensive approach to promoting optimum health.
“Don’t get stuck in thinking there’s only a “right” or “wrong”—healing and learning evolve. With how fast technology is advancing, there’s always a new breakthrough, so stay open. There are many right answers.” – Erin Wen
How Core Strength Relates to the Pelvic Floor
Meg: How does core strength relate to pelvic floor function?
Erin Wen: Everything is interconnected; we are a combination of our compensations and our strengths. The fascial lines of the pelvic floor start from the lower body and connect to the abdomen, meaning the function of one will affect the other. Also connected through breath, our pelvic floor is sometimes called the “pelvic diaphragm.” Learning how to breathe correctly—or incorrectly—can affect both the pelvic floor and core function. (Read about pelvic floor therapy)
Advice for Prenatal & Postpartum Core and Pelvic Floor Health
Meg: What advice do you give prenatal and postpartum individuals working to restore their core and pelvic floor?
Erin Wen: Before thinking about restoring, get an assessment from a pelvic floor therapist. We are often fixated on having to fix or correct things, but our pelvic floor is internal—it’s a part of our bodies that is sometimes considered foreign to us. Having someone assess your pelvic floor before diving into strengthening is really important. (Learn about pelvic floor strengthening)
Meg: How can osteopathic manipulative therapy support healing from diastasis recti?
Erin Wen: Start by working on the areas above and below the affected region to bring integration into the area. It’s important to understand whether there has been a history of improper muscle activation or activities that add too much strain to the body. Healing is multidimensional; taking the time to understand a person’s biomechanics and emotional body is part of the process.
Erin’s Key Takeaways & What’s Next
Meg: What is one piece of information you wish everyone knew from your education and experience?
Erin Wen: Don’t get stuck in thinking there’s only a “right” or “wrong”—healing and learning evolve. With how fast technology is advancing, there’s always a new breakthrough, so stay open. There are many right answers.
Meg: What can we expect next from you?
Erin Wen: I’m working on my online platform, offering more workshops, and possibly planning a retreat for 2026 in Costa Rica.
Incorporating Self-Care and Mobility Into Your Routine
Incorporating self-care and mobility techniques into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. As Erin highlights, understanding the connections within the body—from breath to fascia—can lead to more effective movement and long-term strength.
Whether you’re using a massage ball for targeted relief or incorporating osteopathic techniques into your self-care routine, small adjustments can lead to big results.
Explore More Movement & Recovery Resources
🔹 Follow Erin Wen on Instagram for expert insights.
🔹 Check out Tune Up Fitness’ certification programs to deepen your knowledge.
🔹 Read more about pelvic floor and core health on our blog.
