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I am going to get straight to it...your jaw is connected to your pelvis! Holding tension in your jaw has a direct correlation to your pelvic health. The jaw/tongue are also connected to our Voluntary (somatic) Nervous System.
Quick explanation of Voluntary Nervous System //
“The somatic nervous system (SoNS), also known as the voluntary nervous system, is a part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). It consists of neurons that are associated with skeletal or striated muscle fibers and influence voluntary movements of the body.”
...AKA, if we step on a nail the pain is detected by our pain receptors the brain then sends a signal through motor neurons to our muscles to remove the nail.
But HOW are they connected?
In The Womb
// At around Day 15, when the membranes that form the mouth and urinary, reproductive, digestive tract develop. Even when the spine lengthens, this connection remains.
Facial Tissue
// The casing that contains our internal organs provides another link between our pelvis and jaw. The facial line can be drawn all the way from our pelvis to our jaw.
Sphincter Law
// These muscles are located in the bladder, cervix, rectum and uterus, they work on holding things in before they are ready to be let out. Relaxing the jaw has a direct link to the release of these muscles. Laughed so much you weed a bit...exactly! The Sphincter Law relates strongly to women in labour. Midwives/Doulas will encourage the women to relax their jaw to help labour.
Tongue Tied
// The tongue is part of our autonomic nervous system, when stressed we press it against the roof of our mouth, usually alongside clenching our jaw. Just like breathing encourages us to move into a state of relaxation, so does relaxing our tongue.
And HOW can I relax my jaw?
Move your Tongue
// Take your tongue away from the roof of your mouth and release your jaw. Breathe.
Hip Stretching Poses
// Malasana, Pigeon, Lunges etc, do these consciously with your breath and relaxed jaw position.
Jaw Exercises
// open your mouth as wide as you can the close AND clench your jaw then release.
References:
Biology Dictionary https://biologydictionary.net/somatic-nervous-system/
Influence of the Temporomandibular Joint on Range of Motion of the Hip Joint in Patients With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome / Fischer, Michael J. et al. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 32, Issue 5, 364 – 371
The Relationship between the Pelvis and Stomatognathic System: A Position Statement / Blum, Charles http://www.drcharlesblum.com/About%20Us/TMJ%2520and%2520SI%2520Joint.pdf,