A healthy spine – and the goal of the psoas muscle.

When we speak about the spine, it’s impossible not to mention the psoas muscles. There’re many pieces of information about the psoas muscles, how it contributes to your wellness as a whole.  Once you complete your video, make a note to check out the links below. You can deep dive as much as you want to understand it for yourself, depending on your goals. One of the best books I have read on the psoas muscles is called Core Awareness by Liz Koch.

You may not have realized it yet, but keeping the psoas muscles active is our main focus in Pilates classes. Do you know those empowering exercises (high bridge) that you like to see us do? Well, once your psoas muscles become strong enough, it will be easier for your spine to bend to that degree. Yes, of course, you can apply force and your genetic advantage (flexibility) to get there. But determination on its own and hypermobility are not enough, not if you want to avoid injuries.

As Confucius said : “Knowledge without practice is useless.

Practice without knowledge is dangerous”

Keeping your psoas awake is more important than calorie counting 

But let’s leave the big extension exercise for later near. First, if your primary goal is to have a healthy spine, release muscle tension and yes to also lose weight then you need to hear this – Keeping your psoas awake is more important than calorie counting.

In today’s video, I’m going to share with you the two most important things that you should know when it comes to your psoas muscle.

Once you’ve had a chance to try the video, share your experience with me and which tips resonated the most with you 🙂

Also here’re are ten best practices for keeping psoas awake that are totally under your control.

1. Don’t collapse your ribs on your hips when you’re sitting
2. Lift your car seat to a more upright position.
3. Practice good posture when you walk and stand.
4. Balance your workout with dynamic exercises like your Pilates practice.
5. Don’t tense your belly when you workout.
6. Don’t tuck your pelvis when you do stomach series.
7. Use images when you practice.
8. Practice empowering yourself and speak up and not closed down when you feel scared.
10. Stay hydrated and move as much as you can.

 

 

Stay safe and keep practicing.