The Kriston Method has been developed by Andrea Kriston since 1986.
The aim of this Hungarian health promoting method is to improve the function of the organs in the lower abdomen in both sexes, from kindergarten to old age. It is developed for prevention and “self-rehabilitation”. Self-rehabilitation means that the client, having mastered the elements of conscious health protection, is able to improve their well-being themselves.
The method forms a bridge between the fields of education, sexology, sports science and health culture.
The method has a complex approach, simultaneously supporting the client in their urological, gynecological, proctological, andrological, sexological, physical and mental well-being.
The method is significantly different from Kegel’s exercises.
The 3 components of the Kriston Method:
- change of habits for healthier organs,
- reduction and elimination of emotions that inhibit healthy organ function,
- Improving the function of organs.
The modules following the Kriston Intimate Training module support students throughout their lives: the quality of sex life, giving birth in ecstasy, abdominal protection, whole body training, sexual education of teenagers.
The effectiveness of the Kriston Method is proved by instrumental, clinical examinations and surveys, and the method was made popular by Andrea Kriston's effective workshops, books, interviews at medical conferences and in the media.
Anyone who turns to a Kriston Trainer can be sure that they have found a well-prepared trainer with a thorough knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, Kriston teaching methodology, and who always keeps their knowledge up to date.
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Many people use Kegel exercises and pelvic floor exercises as synonyms.
Kegel exercises deal with the pelvic floor muscles indeed, however, Kegel does not match the Kriston Intimate Training in its system, purpose, means, or effects.
Nowadays, Kegel exercises are used to describe all kinds of movements, and the recommendations are also very different, even within the same method: the use of geisha balls, electrical vaginal stimulation, performing from a couple to even as many as 1000 squeezes per day, squeezing with little force or full force, only squeezing with the finger inserted in the vagina, etc.
On the one hand, these exercises don’t even resemble the original Kegel exercises, on the other hand, Kegel never referred to his method as a pelvic floor training method.
Kegel exercises means squeezing 3x20 minutes a day, with a measuring tube inserted in the vagina.
Kriston Intimate Training though, in comparison, is a complex method, which consists of 3 parts and its effectiveness is proved by instrumental examinations and clinical studies:
- Exercises: the methodology of movement education applied to women and men guides the student through 300 steps for the confident muscle perception and development of the pelvic floor muscles. It can help further personal development through its personalized exercise program and audio material, to make practicing at home easier.
- Emotional background: creates emotional relief during the session with psychosomatics, and metaphors that affect the unconscious.
- Habits: Helps the long-term healthy functioning of the abdominal organs by teaching health care habits that affect the lower abdomen.
The term ‘intimate exercises’, which Andrea Kriston coined at the beginning of her work and had not previously existed in Hungarian or any other language, has since been inextricably intertwined with her activities.
However, as her popularity and acceptance grew among both professionals and everyday people, others began to use the term to promote their own exercise programs.
While the Kriston method has been evolving since 1986 and guarantees a medically proven, positive effect, this is often not the case with other exercise programs, which is risky, because not properly taught or -performed exercises can cause serious damage to the perineum.
Experience shows that simple oral or written instructions are not enough to exercise the pelvic muscles, as 30% of women are unable to contract their pelvic floor muscles on instruction and 25% develop incontinence through poorly performed exertion. (Robert & Ross, 2006)
The effectiveness of the Kriston method is proved by instrumental, hospital and clinical examinations and surveys.
Andrea Kriston's trainings, books for women, men and educators, interviews and lectures at specialist conferences and in the media made her popular.
The results of her instrumental measurements convinced the Hungarian specialists about the effectiveness of her method.
After the term ‘intimate training’ became widespread and the previous name protection was abolished, in order to distinguish it from many other pelvic floor exercises, the name of the method became Kriston Intimate Training to help navigate among the other pelvic floor workouts.
Despite the support of specialists, the Hungarian Physiotherapists' Association rejected the OEP (National Health Insurance Fund)-supported free form developed for them by Andrea Kriston.
Nevertheless, they wanted to use the popular name ‘intimate exercises’ without mastering the method. The Association thus initiated the abolition of the name protection and was successful at first.
Later, as a result of a representative opinion poll, which confirmed that the majority of the population tied the development of intimate training to Andrea Kriston's activities, the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office restored the name protection for her in order to protect the Hungarian Kriston method and its users.
Shortly afterwards, a group led by a physiotherapist again initiated the revocation of the name protection, a case which they have now successfully won.
Andrea Kriston's professional priority and authorship are not questioned among professionals.
Her articles and books indisputably provided evidence to the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office.
The abolition of name protection has resulted in that now anyone can teach anything under the name of intimate exercises, even those who have never learned the method, since intimate training is not part of yoga, physiotherapy or other types of movement.
Because of such courses, we meet frustrated, desperate students who come to us with advanced hemorrhoids, severe bladder hernia, intensified varicocele, pelvic floor spasm, delayed regeneration, or improper preparation for delivery.
The Kriston Method taught by Kriston Trainers is guaranteed. Each Kriston Trainer completes a 390-hour course, which is further developed and kept up to date through annual refresher courses and regular compulsory exam renewals. During the training, the trainers study perineal anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, methodology and psychosomatics from specialists, and Andrea Kriston. The minimum level of completion of the exams is 95%, to ensure that students can trust anyone who works as a Kriston trainer.
Reference: Robert, M. MD, Ross, S. PhD (2006): Conservative Management of Urinary Incontinence. SOGC Clinical Practice Guideline (186). 1113-1116.