The Psoas Book is an 85 page perfect bound, soft covered book, self-published in 1981. Revised and updated, the second edition was published by Guinea Pig Publications in the spring of 1997.
The Psoas Book is a comprehensive guide to the iliopsoas muscle and its profound influence on the body/mind/emotions. Chapters include Location, Function, Effects, Childhood Conditioning, Women's Cycles, Resources and the psoas muscles relationship to the Fear Reflex system of the body.
Approaches introduces traditional body systems and claries their somatic approach to working with the psoas muscle.
Applications (i.e. ergonomics) offer ways to properly support the psoas. Releasing The Psoas offers simple instructions for releasing, toning and lengthening the muscle...
Chapters include:
Location: explains the exact location of the psoas within the human body and its relationship to muscles, bones and organs.
Function: clarifies the many functions of the psoas and how it serves as a hip flexor, tensile structure, pump and shelf.
Effects: details the effect the psoas has on structural balance, joint rotation, muscular compensations, organ functioning, breathing and emotional well being.
Childhood Conditioning: explains the complexities that are inherent in a short or contracted psoas muscle and looks at the ways a parent can support a child’s growth.
Women’s Cycles: suggests ways of working with the psoas throughout every phase of a woman’s life. Includes how releasing the psoas relieves menstrual cramping and discomforts, supports mother and fetus throughout every phase of pregnancy, eases labor and provides the conditions necessary for vaginal birth. Keeping the psoas functioning maintains stability through the changes of menopause.
The Fear Reflex: offers insight into the voluntary and involuntary flee or fight reflex and the emotional patterns of which the psoas muscle is a part. A strong case is made for not palpating or engaging manipulative/invasive techniques when working with the psoas.
Releasing The Psoas: gives simple instructions how to release, tone and lengthen your psoas muscle.
Approaches to the Psoas: reviews popular body systems and clarifies their somatic way of working with the psoas.
Applications: (i.e. Ergonomics) offers ways to properly support the psoas in everyday activities such as walking, sitting and wearing shoes.