By David Keil • April 3rd, 2006

If we stabilize the femur, the upper half of the triangle has the potential to pull the spine down and forward as it attaches to the last thoracic vertebrae. The lower half of the psoas pulls mostly on the lumbars and therefore pulls them down and forward, which would make the pelvis, tip forward and down. This sometimes shows up as a sway back. If you stand up and tilt your pelvis down and forward you'll probably feel how short your low back gets. Back pain anyone?

How does the psoas show up in our yoga practice? Probably the most powerful place is in back bending in all variations such as Cobra, Bow, and Camel where we lengthen and open the front of our bodies, and important action that reverses most of what we do all day: sitting, driving, working on the computing etc. A tight psoas, along with other muscles makes back bends very difficult. When back bending, it's often a good idea to tuck your tailbone (the opposite of the action described above). This will give length to your lower back. Yoga is about creating length in your body; find it wherever you can in your poses.

Aside from back bending, the psoas muscles are commonly used in forward bends to pull you down and forward. All too often people rely on their arms to pull them forward. Because the psoas also helps regulate balance, it is used in every standing posture to stabilize the upper and lower half of the body. Our center of gravity is roughly at the top of our sacrum, and psoas just happens to pass on both sides of this sacred bone so it helps regulate balance around our center of gravity, which is where movement comes from.

Chakras, Bandhas and Fred Astaire

If you look at the space between the top and the bottom of the psoas, you will find some interesting pieces of yogic anatomy. Within its' span are the lowest three chakras which control our instincts for survival, sexual energy and power. If you incorporate bandhas (internal energetic valves) into your practice you'll find the mula and udhiyana bandhas within the realm of the psoas.

If you come from this place, both physically and energetically, you will have an amazing practice. An example of someone who moved from this space is Fred Astaire who gingerly floated a few inches above the ground as he danced. His movement originated from his psoas. I doubt that he was consciously aware of it, but his movements emanated from his psoas to his toes and fingertips. I'm sure he didn't know it but he also utilized the bandhas and the energy to move his body. Just like any of the great yogis teaching out there now, Astaire mastered this area of his body and called on it regularly for strength and energy.

Using The Psoas In Sun Salutes

Let's do a sun salutation paying special attention to our psoas. With your weight evenly balanced on both feet, become aware of the space near the level of your navel. Imagine finding length from your psoas as your spine lifts from your center. Every time you inhale, feel yourself getting longer from your psoas and spine. Do your first sun salutation very slowly and imagine every movement growing and blossoming from this area of your body. After you've done a few Sun Salutations, find your way into Warrior I. Sink into your legs and feel how grounded you are. From that very grounded and strong foundation lift your torso out and up through your psoas; your arms are reaching from your psoas, your spine and head growing longer from -- yes you got it -- your psoas.

This article was reprinted with the permission of David Keil. This article is the Copyright 2005 of David Keil and may not be reproduced without prior written permission.

David Keil was introduced to yoga in 1989 by his Tai Chi Chuan teacher. Both the Tai Chi and Yoga practice at the ripe age of 17 began his research into his own mind-body connections. As an Instructor of Kinesiology at Miami's Educating Hands School of Massage, David had developed a fun, informal and informative style of teaching. David has a private practice where he uses bodywork techniques to relieve chronic pain. A Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, David has taught seminars in Body Mechanics for Massage Therapists and has also worked with other local and national audiences. David's current practice is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. For the past four years he has had the honor of studying with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, in Mysore (four separate trips) as well as with John Scott, author of Ashtanga Yoga, who he also has the extreme honor of teaching with. David is authorized to teach Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. For more information on David's Ashtanga yoga schedule visit Ashtanga Yoga Miami or visit his other site www.yoganatomy.com

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Location:  Miami, US

David Keil was introduced to yoga in 1989 by his Tai Chi Chuan  teacher. Both the Tai Chi and Yoga practice at the ripe age of 17 began his research into his own mind-body connections. As...