Unlocking the ‘Muscle of the Soul’
Do you spend much time sitting in front of a computer, on a plane, or in a car? If so your hips may be locked up, causing you undue stress and fear. The Psoas Muscle is known as the “muscle of the soul”. This long muscle is located on the side of the lumbar region of your spine and connecting to your pelvis. It is one of the largest muscles in the human body. This is primarily where we store stress and trauma. Chronic stress causes anxiety and fear as well as other health dangers. Here’s what you need to know about releasing stress stored in your Psoas Muscle.
In humans, the extremes of the two polarities might appropriately be described as LOVE (+) and FEAR (- ). Love fuels growth. In contrast, fear stunts growth. – Bruce Lipton, Ph.D.
Where is a Majority of the Stress Stored?
The Psoas Muscle is used for core stability as it connects our upper and lower body. Every time we see something that startles us, our brain sends signals for our body to release epinephrine (adrenaline). Our core muscles will engage for fight or flight. This could be something as benign as seeing an animal dart in front of us while we drive. Maybe it’s a scary scene in a movie or an unexpected loud noise.
Usually after being initially startled, we realize we aren’t in danger. But when we don’t respond these stress hormones (adrenaline) become stuck in the psoas or other parts of the body. This can create health problems like insomnia, lowered immune system, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, and living in a constant state of fear or alert.
Because the psoas is so intimately involved in such basic physical and emotional reactions, a chronically tightened psoas continually signals your body that you’re in danger, eventually exhausting the adrenal glands and depleting the immune system. As you learn to approach the world without this chronic tension, psoas awareness can open the door to a more sensitive attunement to your body’s inner signals about safety and danger, and to a greater sense of inner peace. – Liz Koch, Author of The Psoas Book
How Built up Stress Makes us Vulnerable
Empowering one’s self means we must effectively manage the stress that accumulates in our body. Constantly being in a state of fear makes it easy for others to manipulate and take advantage of us. For instance, advertisers have learned to capitalize on this biological aspect of fight/flight also known as the lizard brain.
We have fast-paced lifestyles (mentally), combined with our relatively stagnant physical activity (driving, working at computer, etc.). This causes our bodies to be ineffective at releasing built-up stress which manifests as fear or anxiety. Luckily we have the tools to regulate this with a few minutes of stretching each day.
Lizard brain refers to the oldest part of the brain, the brain stem, responsible for primitive survival instincts such as aggression and fear (flight or fight) – Joseph Troncale M.D., Psychology Today
Therapeutic Approach
Since stress accumulates on an unconscious level, healing our bodies is a process that must happen consciously. This requires gradual lifestyle changes and a daily practice. Take time each day to reset your nervous system to a place of calm. There are many ways to do this which we will touch on in the next section.
Craniosacral Therapy is powerful because it helps teach our body how to relax into a parasympathetic state which restores the nervous system. This gentle and non-invasive approach helps us bring awareness to and melt away the stress stored within us. Getting a good massage from a trusted practitioner is also very helpful. Any conscious effort to de-stress will be beneficial.
To work with the psoas is not to try to control the muscle, but to cultivate the awareness necessary for sensing its messages. This involves making a conscious choice to become somatically aware. – Liz Koch, Author of The Psoas Book
Yoga and Personal Practice
The best doctor is already within you. Cultivate a practice that heals, replenishes, and relaxes you from within. There are many yoga poses that can help you release this stress, anxiety, and fear stored within your psoas. Find a local yoga class or teacher where you can receive personalized instruction. Yoga International also has a comprehensive list of photos and descriptions of poses to start you on your journey.
All forms of exercise are helpful since almost everything we do engages our psoas. Taking the stairs instead of an elevator, riding a bike, and an evening walk will do wonders for your health. Moving your body also helps to enhance your mood as well as reduce stress. Here are some other benefits to exercise:
- Weight Management: Physical activity helps control weight by burning calories and increasing metabolism.
- Reduced Health Risks: Engaging in regular exercise lowers the risk of chronic diseases. This includes heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
- Enhanced Mental Health: Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Improved Sleep Quality: Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep.
- Increased Longevity: Consistent exercise is shown to lengthen lifespan by reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving overall health.
In addition to yoga and exercise, having a daily routine where you reset your nervous system to calm is imperative. Quiet time drinking tea, writing in your journal, and being alone can be very helpful. Spending time in nature or a hot bath regularly will greatly enhance your life.
A Better Life Awaits
If you spend as much time stretching your psoas muscle every day as you just did reading this article then you will notice some big changes in your life. This is how to loosen your mind from the grips of fear and anxiety. It all starts with a conscious practice in our body to release stored stress and trauma.
Sitting in front of a computer, on a plane, or in a car takes a toll on your body. These practices are a conscious way to undo unnecessary stress. Connecting with and nurturing the “muscle of the soul” will enhance every aspect of your well-being.
