The Sacred Psoas: The Muscle of Emotion, Fear, and Transformation

The psoas muscle is one of the most overlooked yet powerful muscles in the body. Known as the “muscle of the soul,” the psoas plays a vital role in our posture, movement, breath, and emotional well-being. It is deeply intertwined with the nervous system, storing not only physical tension but also emotional trauma.

My fascination with the psoas began when I injured it at the age of 15, during a time when I was also experiencing a great deal of stress and emotional turmoil at home. What started as a physical injury quickly revealed itself to be something much deeper—an energetic and emotional holding pattern that was keeping me in a state of tension and fear.

Since then, I have spent years studying the physiological, emotional, and energetic impact of the psoas muscle, and I now host yearly workshops to help others rehabilitate, release, and restore balance to this sacred muscle.

Anatomy of the Psoas: The Deepest Core Muscle

The psoas is a muscle group composed of three muscles:

• Psoas Major – The deepest core muscle, approximately 16 inches long, connecting the spine to the legs. It originates at **T12 and the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5), runs through the pelvis, over the hip joints, and attaches to the lesser trochanter of the femur.

• Psoas Minor – A vanishing muscle that originates at T12, becoming a thin tendon at the pelvic rim. Due to human evolution and our shift to an upright posture, some people are born without a psoas minor or may have only one.

• Iliacus – A fan-shaped muscle that joins the psoas at the pelvis, together forming the iliopsoas, which plays a crucial role in hip flexion and spinal stability.

The psoas muscle is far more than just a postural muscle. It influences the pelvis, breath, and nervous system, making it one of the most energetically charged muscles in the body.

The Psoas and the Energetic Body

The upper part of the psoas connects to the diaphragm via fascia located at the solar plexus, which is the energetic center of personal power and emotional processing.

When we breathe, the psoas massages the organs, blood vessels, and nerves, creating a deep somatic connection between our physical and emotional states.

The Psoas & the Lower Three Chakras

Modern science has shown that the seven main nerve ganglia coming from the spinal column closely correspond to the chakra system in psychoenergetic science. The psoas is deeply intertwined with the lower three chakras:

• Root Chakra (Muladhara) – Governs safety, stability, and grounding. A tight psoas creates tension in the lower body, affecting our sense of security.

• Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) – Governs pleasure, creativity, and emotions. The psoas holds emotional trauma, blocking energy flow and affecting creativity.

• Solar Plexus (Manipura) – Governs personal power, confidence, and gut instincts. A tight or weak psoas can contribute to anxiety, self-doubt, and disconnection from intuition.

The Psoas and the Fear Response

The psoas is directly connected to the body’s fear response. In moments of danger or trauma, the psoas contracts involuntarily, pulling the body into the fetal position as a protective mechanism. This reflex is deeply rooted in our biology and originates in the Moro reflex, which develops in infants between 3-6 months old.

The psoas is activated by the vestibular system (inner ear), which detects balance and spatial orientation, as well as the vagus nerve, which regulates the autonomic nervous system. When a perceived threat occurs, the vagus nerve signals the fight, flight, or freeze response, causing the psoas to contract.

Chronic Stress and the Psoas

If the fear response is triggered repeatedly without adequate recovery, the body remains in a state of hypervigilance. This conditions the psoas to stay in a contracted state, which can manifest as:

• Chronic lower back pain and hip tightness

• Digestive issues (due to tension in the gut region)

• Shallow breathing and diaphragm restriction

• Persistent anxiety and nervous system dysregulation

Over time, the psoas becomes exhausted, dry, and unresponsive, creating a feedback loop of physical tension and emotional distress.

Rehabilitating the Psoas: Releasing Tension & Restoring Flow

The good news is that the psoas can be released, reconditioned, and brought back to life through a combination of breathwork, movement, and somatic healing techniques.

Techniques to Heal and Release the Psoas

🔹 Breathwork & Diaphragmatic Breathing – Helps stimulate the vagus nerve, relax the nervous system, and release stored tension in the psoas.

🔹 Somatic Movement & Gentle Stretching – Instead of forcefully stretching the psoas (which can cause further contraction), we use slow, mindful movements that encourage the muscle to soften and lengthen naturally.

🔹 TRE (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises) – Gentle neurogenic tremoring techniques that activate the body’s natural ability to shake off stored trauma and reset the nervous system.

🔹 Pelvic Unwinding & Myofascial Release – Soft tissue work to restore hydration and elasticity to the psoas, preventing it from becoming stiff and dry.

🔹 Grounding & Energy Work – Practices such as yoga, qigong, and body scanning help reconnect with the lower chakras and re-establish a sense of safety in the body.

Join My Annual Psoas Workshop

For years, I have been hosting annual workshops dedicated to the rehabilitation and healing of the psoas. These workshops incorporate a blend of:

✨ Anatomy & Energetic Understanding of the Psoas

✨ Breathwork & Nervous System Regulation

✨ Somatic Release & Movement Therapy

✨ Guided Meditation & Trauma-Informed Healing Practices

By working with the psoas intentionally, we can release fear, dissolve emotional blocks, and restore balance to the entire system.

If you are experiencing chronic tension, anxiety, or a deep sense of disconnection from your body, learning to release and strengthen your psoas can be one of the most transformational healing journeys you embark upon.

Ready to reconnect with your body and release deep-held tension?

📅 Join my next Psoas Healing Workshop and experience the profound shift that comes from unlocking this sacred muscle.