I have mild Diastasis Recti (Abdominal Separation) after my kids were born (twins about 3.5 years ago). It is only 1-2 finger width separation and I’m told it doesn’t need to be fixed. I am curious how it affects my yoga postures. I always get severe abdominal charlie horses on forward bends like rabbit and I think it is related to my separation.
Poses with twists place shear forces on the linea alba (the mid line connective tissue) and may cause a diastasis to occur either during pregnancy, or directly after childbirth. Supine positions which flex the upper spine, or those with double leg extension (boat pose) may cause the abdomen to balloon outward during exertion, which when you are postpartum, overly stretches the mid line, inhibiting mid line closure and abdominal flattening.
Women with diastasis should always use the “log roll” technique when rising from the floor.