The psoas (so-as) is a large pair of muscles between the pelvis and the ribs, that wrap like cradling wings around to the front of the pelvis and drop down to attach at the lower end to the top of the thigh bone.
They help us walk upright and support our abdominal organs. The tone of the large psoas can have an effect on the descent of the baby and even fetal position.
This photo shows the Psoas Muscle Release was developed by Liz Koch. I’m really excited about her work, and she teaches some of her hands-on techniques over at her site, Core Awareness.
…why is the Psoas so important during pregnancy, birth and postpartum? …The Psoas, spoken of as the muscle of the soul in Daoist healing traditions, holds the key for accessing instinctual wisdom so essential for a resilient natural birth process.
On a very functional level, maintaining or regaining a healthy Psoas relieves or eliminates low back and leg pains, opens and centers the pelvis and hips, and can help you avoid induction. On every level understanding the message of the Psoas resolves the fears of birthing and empowers babies to emerge whole-hearted.
–Liz Koch
A short psoas is associated with tightness in breath, upset stomachs, constipation, fetal engagement, and descent. A tight psoas muscle pair keeps the baby high.
A long labor can relax the psoas, as may an epidural, but why not improve your body’s balance by relaxing your psoas in pregnancy? A longer, more supple psoas is one of several factors that helps the baby engage at 38 weeks gestation.
We “release” tension stored in the psoas for optimal body function. Liz Koch calls it hydrating the psoas or “unraveling” it. Watch the video below to see how she unravels the psoas using a simple wooden chair!
You’ll learn a lot from listening to Liz narrate this adventure.
There are several ways of doing a psoas release. Here is another simple one that is easy to learn.
By the middle of pregnancy, lying on the back is not recommended for longer than 20 minutes or if feeling a little off, a little restless or confined, then roll over earlier immediately.
Lie on your back with your feet on a chair so that your calves are at a 90-degree angle to your thighs. Your thighs should be straight up and down and your calves horizontal. After five minutes, roll to your side and get up slowly.
One day you will notice that your lower back relaxes enough so that the space between your lower back and the floor disappears. Just don’t force your lower back to touch the floor, but wait until it happens on its own. Then repeat this daily as much as you can, but for five minutes at a time.
Do this if:
Don’t do this if:
Two great psoas muscles come down from the spine, beneath the level of the ribs and respiratory diaphragm to the lower lumbar spine, and each one angles forward over the pelvis, draping over the leg socket and attaching to the lesser trochanter.
Gentle stretching (as pictured) seems widely okay.
Do this for at least 3 minutes or longer if the helper’s arms remain comfortable supporting you.
There are several activities, as well as generally good posture and breathing, that help release the psoas.
Sitting with your knees lower than your hips is a really good way to allow the psoas to lengthen. Here’s a picture of Liz Koch giving Gail a lesson in sitting on a bolster.
You can do lengthening activities on your psoas at any time—in pregnancy, during labor, before pregnancy, after pregnancy, etc. It’s important to know, however, that a psoas release is not an easy self care in labor. Beginning in labor may have a response but may not.
You have some options that will help your :
I can’t think of any time not to!
But there is a way not to lengthen or release the psoas:
Liz Koch recommends not to massage the psoas directly. Fascia therapy and self care are preferred.
Before doing any of these exercises, find a peaceful moment to set up a little space and time to do them without a busy mind distracting you from your perceptions.
After doing these exercises, you will feel more relaxed and centered. Keep your breath flowing and repeat the exercises as needed. A resolved psoas is life changing as well as advantageous for the pregnant and birthing woman.
Check out this link to Collette Crawford interviewing Liz Koch and keep an eye out for a shout-out to Spinning Babies®!
Also, here’s a link to Liz Koch’s favorite Yoga activities for releasing the psoas.
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