The proven method for regaining your strength and confidence, long term.

Are you experiencing
any of these symptoms?

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  • A bulge in your belly you can’t seem to shift.
  • A belly that feels swollen.
  • Bloating (especially in the center of your belly).
  • Gaping in the center of your belly.
  • Leaky pee.
  • Pain in your lower back.
  • Being able to maintain strong posture.
  • Digestive discomfort and/or constipation.

If you are, you may have a very common injury called diastasis recti (DR)… where your rectus abdominus (6 pack abs) separate from the midline tissue.

You can learn more about the symptoms of DR here,

and what DR looks like here.

Not sure if you have diastasis recti?

Lauren can help!

Prefer a step by step guide? Here’s one for you

If you DO have diastasis recti, don’t panic!

You’re not alone.

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If you DO have diastasis recti, don’t panic!

You’re not alone.

Millions of people worldwide have diastasis recti (many don’t even realize it).

You’re already ahead of the game in your healing journey simply by having found this page, and begun the search for a solution.

If you did the test and don’t have diastasis recti yet, but are worried about developing it, you can

learn more about ways to prevent it here!

You AREN’T weak or broken

This didn’t happen to you because you did something wrong or didn’t take care of yourself properly.

This happened because hey, it HAPPENS! It happens a whole lot more easily than we think (but no one warns us about it), and to a whole lot more women than we think (but no one talks about it).

AND it doesn’t just happen to pregnant or postpartum women either.

There are many reasons diastasis recti can develop, if you’d like to learn more about those, you can find out more here.

You can learn more about that diastasis recti
during pregnancy here.

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Good news: there is a way forward

You’re not broken.

This is not how it’s going to be forever.

While you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed, confused or despondent right now, we’re here to tell you diastasis recti isn’t a life sentence.

There is a future where the symptoms you’re experiencing right now are greatly reduced. And, in many cases, completely healed.

With the right support and some simple daily exercises, you can regain your full body function and feel confident and strong when you move again.

So how do you heal?

The most important thing to remember is that your DR is impacting much more than just the way your belly looks. That gap between your abdominal muscles means that your core isn’t able to engage effectively so your back and pelvic floor are having to do double the work.

While you may not yet be experiencing symptoms in your back and pelvic floor, if you don’t work on making sure you build a responsive core that can engage when it needs to, it’s likely these symptoms will develop further down the road.

While going for surgery is an attractive ‘quick fix’, your core will still need to start engaging reflexively and appropriately so you can enjoy a healthy core, pelvic floor and lower back well into old age.

Healing is different
for everyone. But
these options are helpful:

  • An exercise method that teaches you to train your core properly and safely. You can try some great exercises for diastasis recti here.
  • Taking your whole body into consideration because ALL movement is connected to your core
  • Adding more resistance once you know how to safely load your core
  • Myofascial release with an expert to help resolve unhealthy patterns
  • Adding more cardio once your core system is moving efficiently again

You can find more details on what healing diastasis recti may look like for you here.

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One of the first questions we are often asked is,

Can I heal diastasis recti
without surgery?

Well. The honest answer is… It depends. Healing looks different for everyone, and it always takes TIME.

While in today’s world we’ve been trained to look for instant solutions and quick fixes, the truth is our bodies simply don’t work that way. Unfortunately we see many women wanting to push too hard too soon and undoing progress they’ve made with their diastasis recti.

Every woman’s
body is different.

Every diastasis recti injury is unique. A wider gap can often heal faster than a deeper gap, but every body will have its own story.

Many women are able to heal their diastasis recti without surgery, while some will need surgery. However, even surgeons recommend trying to heal for at least a year before scheduling surgery. If you’d like to learn more about when a diastasis recti may need surgery, you can read more here.

You can also find some helpful exercises to do before you consider surgery for your DR here.

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Every woman’s
body is different.

Every diastasis recti injury is unique. A wider gap can often heal faster than a deeper gap, but every body will have its own story.

Many women are able to heal their diastasis recti without surgery, while some will need surgery. However, even surgeons recommend trying to heal for at least a year before scheduling surgery. If you’d like to learn more about when a diastasis recti may need surgery, you can read more here.

You can also find some helpful exercises to do before you consider surgery for your DR here.

But the truth is, with the right healing method, you can get back to being as strong, confident and comfortable moving as you were before – whether you need surgery or not.

There IS a method…

that is carefully curated to create lifelong healing (rather than spot correcting). This method is the most intuitive, inclusive method available online today and will guide you to build a strong, responsive core.

Introducing…

Restore Your Core®—The proven method for regaining your strength and confidence, long-term.

RYC® will guide you to create a core strong enough to support you as you gradually move into more intense exercise to help you reach your physique goals.

RYC® is carefully designed to give you everything you need to safely do YOUR part in your healing process.

Your true healing happens in the small choices you make every day about how you move.

RYC® uses the CARE model to guide your diastasis recti healing.

Core confidence:

Regain your confidence to move, exercise and return to what you love. No fear mongering. No dogmas. No judgment. Just a clear path to healing.

Awareness:

Regain your confidence to move, exercise and return to what you love. No fear mongering. No dogmas. No judgment. Just a clear path to healing.

Responsive:

To optimize your movements and activities, you need to first ensure your core and pelvic floor are responsive and functional. RYC® uses dynamic whole-body core stability workouts to accomplish this.

Empowerment:

Feel empowered with tools to be confident, aware of your body, and to move on to activities more complex without fear.

No more feeling lost, confused and in the dark about your injury and what it takes to heal.

No more feeling lost, confused and in the dark about your injury and what it takes to heal.

Find Out More

Healing diastasis recti with
RYC® feels like:

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Barbara Martinez

“My diastasis is closed, my prolapse symptoms are gone. I can lift heavy again, I can jump without leaking, sex isn’t painful anymore, and I’m stronger— not only physically, but mentally! I know my body can heal.”

“I just started the 4th phase of RYC®, and I’ve seen so much improvement in my body. My diastasis recti gap is down from 4 fingers to less than 2.”

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Monica Blasbalg Swain

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Vicki L.

“I had a major tailbone issue for over 2 years combined with a tight pelvic floor and diastasis recti. Nothing I did ever was "enough" to get relief. Then I found RYC®! I signed up and can honestly say I felt a change immediately!

I started breathing more effectively, which I didn't even know I was having issues with, and my tailbone started hurting less. My diastasis recti closed up and I could feel my core activating. I couldn't believe it. All I can say is I haven't felt this strong, resilient or functional in over 20 years and it feels great!”

“I am 10 months postpartum and am in stage 4, basically I’ve completed the program but I’m still doing it because it still helps me so much. I have closed my DR about 90 percent & my prolapse is also better.”

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Sofia

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Rachel Dolkas

“I started Restore Your Core® with a three finger diastasis recti and on and off symptoms of prolapse. Regular yoga classes or the gym seemed to produce injuries and physical therapy felt uninspiring. RYC® was the perfect balance of moving at a therapeutic pace but inspiring me to make progress day after day.

I got stronger with each stage and little by little my diastasis recti closed. Symptoms of prolapse eased as I got stronger and learned better movement patterns. I could not be happier with my results and even moved on to Challenge Your Core before heading back to the gym with strength, confidence and a renewed connection with my body.”

“I had no idea how much I would gain when I started RYC®. I love Lauren's teaching. I love the guiding principle that if you challenge your body in a way that is doable for where you are at today, you will build strength over time. This has 1000% been true for me and it feels amazing.

My diastasis recti is much smaller and less deep than it was, but more importantly, I feel fit and confident that I can challenge my body in all the right ways.”

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LK

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Raya Sagdejeva

“RYC® explains the fundamentals of movement - and I finally understand that I spent so much energy compensating for core function with other body parts. Thanks to RYC®, I‘m now very close to getting back to my favorite activities.I can feel my core work during exercise and every day movements, and it even feels closer together around my hernia!

RYC® has taught me to work smarter, not harder.

At Stage 3 of the program, I feel so accomplished already—I can’t wait to see what Stage 4 brings!”

Healing diastasis recti with RYC® looks like being able to…

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Healing diastasis recti with RYC® looks like being able to…

  • move effortlessly without worry.
  • lift your kids.
  • have fewer aches and pains.
  • workout harder with more intensity.
  • move without fear.
  • listen to your body and respond.
  • embrace full body healing.

You can feel strong, confident and capable again with RYC®.

You can feel strong,
confident and
capable again with RYC®

10,000+

women healing

300+

Certified RYC®
Teachers

30,000+

Active Community
Members

80+

Countries

5

Continents

2015

Since

RYC® has helped thousands of women find diastasis recti healing…
We’d love to help you too.

Learn More

As seen in:

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Lauren Ohayon

Founder and program developer RYC

“There is no thank you big enough for Lauren Ohayon existing and thinking and helping so many of us. Every time I do something I never thought I’d do again she is part of the reason why.”

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Laura Gregg

“Lauren Ohayon's voice in my head telling me: "this is how you feel today, it does not mean you'll feel like this forever, or even tomorrow.”

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Silje Vold

“Lauren Ohayon, whenever you say thank you at the end of your videos, I say thank you back, but you can't hear me. So, Thank you Lauren!!”

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Hanna Sandvig

“Your work amazes me each day and I am so happy my body can grow old with you by my side Lauren Ohayon.”

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Ivy Goldmann Garr

“Lauren. Love you. Love your work, Thank you for all you do for us. We’re lucky to have you (and so are my knees!). ”

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Ali Airey

You’ll get

  • Forever access to the program and all updates
  • 16 Exercise videos with detailed personal instruction
  • 4 Standing-only classes for those times when getting on a mat is just not possible
  • 24 Take-back-your-body tutorials explaining alignment, how to have a healthy spine and pelvis, optimal breath, ideal core engagement, and more
  • 12 Instructional PDFs that help you understand prolapse, the role of your psoas, and tips for all day movement
  • A 10-15 minute express workout for each stage of the program
  • Private facebook group (for women only), constant access to Lauren herself, and all your personal questions answered all the time
  • Bonus videos, tutorials, tips and classes
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All for under $200 USD

Yes Please, I Want Those!
Or we offer a payment plan—4 easy payments of $50USD

Got Questions

Diastasis Recti abdominis is a common and natural effect of pregnancy. When the connective tissue thins to allow the abdominal wall muscles to separate, creating space for the growing baby, in most cases, this will return to normal in the weeks and months postpartum. It doesn’t happen naturally for some women, and they may need physical therapy if they don't heal within 6 weeks to 3 months following delivery. Surgery is usually only considered in extreme cases if the gap does not close within a year of physical therapy.
A great way to prevent exacerbating Diastasis Recti is to avoid exercises that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as crunches, planks, twists, or heavy lifting. You don’t want to do anything that causes a visible doming of the abdomen.
Yes! Many women and men have completed my program and seen their Diastasis Recti close considerably, if not all the way. It is possible to heal a diastasis without surgery.
Connective tissue is slow to heal. Many men and women can use simple core-strengthening techniques to heal their Diastasis Recti. People working with a rehab program should only consider surgery if they have been working with a rehabilitation program or with a physical therapist to restore function for a minimum of 1 year. Surgery can fail or create other issues if one doesn’t address the underlying problem of excess intra-abdominal pressure.   If the Diastasis Recti persists after one year of therapy, it would be appropriate to consult a surgeon.
The most common symptom of Diastasis Recti is a bulge in the center of the abdomen, especially when you strain or contract your abdominal muscles. 
Medically speaking, a separation of 2 finger widths or more is considered Diastasis Recti.
Diastasis Recti can lead to side effects like poor posture, low back pain, constipation and urine leaking. It may also cause difficulty with breathing or movement.
Belly binding is thought to help close the Diastasis Recti gap by wrapping a binder around your torso. However, wearing a splint or binder won't strengthen or tighten the muscles - but it might provide support for lower back pain and other issues related to pregnancy (or postpartum) and be an appropriate tool in the later stages of pregnancy and early weeks postpartum.
Women often ask me if they should run with Diastasis Recti. They're hoping for a definitive answer, but in my professional opinion, the response is not so simple. If you are well past the eight weeks postpartum, adding in low intensity exercises can be a great way to regain strength. However, this may look different for each person.
If you feel a gap or softness with muscles on either side, you may have Diastasis Recti. If you can feel the tensed muscles underneath your belly, you're probably just dealing with some abdominal fat. The good news is that most cases of Diastasis Recti are temporary (and abdominal fat can be temporary too!).
Water is essential for optimal health. To give yourself the best chance at healing, you need to get into good habits and maintain hydration - and that means hydrating with water! It doesn't all have to be plain water; diluted juices or herbal teas are also encouraged for increased hydration levels.
Diastasis Recti, is not a Hernia. Clinically, a Diastasis can look like an Inguinal or Umbilical Hernia when flexing your abdomen; you may notice a bulge near the belly button.
Diastasis Recti is a condition that develops when too much pressure is put on the abdominal muscles. This can cause the connective tissue between the rectus abdominis muscles to thin and create a bulge or a dip in the center of the abdomen. Depending on the activity and core engagement strategy, you may present with a bulge or a dip.
Digestion issues are a common complaint among those that have Diastasis Recti. Speak to a registered dietician or nutritionist if this is an issue for you.

Additional Resources

Still got questions? Lauren’s got answers!

Reach out to her here and she’ll get back to you.

Sign up and get instant access to this free video resource with Lauren Ohayon:

3 Steps to Heal Your Diastasis Recti

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