3 Ways To Stretch The ‘soul Muscle’ To Combat Discomfort

The psoas, also called the ‘soul muscle’, is the deepest muscle in the muscular system and the one that contributes most to stabilizing the human body.  It helps us maintain balance, joint mobility, range of motion, and proper functioning of the organs located in the abdominal region.

This muscle, which connects the spine and legs, helps us stand upright and allows us to lift our legs so that we can walk. A psoas in good condition favors correct body posture and offers accommodation to the internal structure of the body.

Eastern cultures gave it the title of ‘soul muscle’ because of its relationship with the central nervous system, as being connected to the diaphragm, it is related to breathing.

We know that the respiratory rhythm has a bidirectional relationship with our emotional state, so it is considered the messenger of our psychological state. It is, therefore, the muscle in charge of helping us to oxygenate our minds.

The psoas or ‘soul muscle’ is considered to be the mouthpiece of emotions, emotions that manifest as either ‘butterflies in the stomach’ or a ‘turned stomach’.

The psoas strain, the compromise of our mental health

Stress, along with the lifestyle that goes with it, can overwhelm the psoas, causing it to shorten or harden. This causes back and lower back pain, digestive problems, painful periods, etc.

If the state of stress becomes chronic, the psoas ends up shortening and hardening, affecting our physical and emotional state, generating a great deal of discomfort that ends up exhausting our body.

On the contrary, the stronger and more flexible the ‘soul muscle’, the more vitality we will emanate, as the energy will be able to flow freely through the openings, muscles, joints, organs, etc.

Exercises to relax the ‘soul muscle’

To work flexibility and strengthen this muscle, we can perform various exercises or stretches. For this, we must take into account that the muscle starts at the T12 vertebra, continues through the five lumbar vertebrae, and connects to the upper part of the thigh bone (femur).

Disciplines like yoga focus on working this muscle as it helps to release unnecessary tension and flow through truly liberating body movements that help us reconnect with our needs.

Let’s look at some of the exercises that allow us to stretch, strengthen and flex the ‘soul muscle’. However, before starting to define them, we should know that we need to hold each position for a few seconds, as well as repeat it with each leg. Furthermore, we must know that it is recommended that we do them daily, and that it is also convenient to do them in the morning.

1. Leg Stretch

• Stand with your legs apart at shoulder height.
• Keep your back straight, this will help you tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Step forward with your right foot.
• Lower your left knee to the floor and slide it until your entire left leg is straight.
• Rest your hands on your right knee and hold the position for a few seconds.
• Get up calmly, go back to the beginning and do the same exercise with the other leg.

Variant: use an extra element. This involves performing the same exercise, but placing a stool, box or chair at knee height, with the aim of supporting you and carrying your entire body weight forward so that your left leg is straight. Repeat with the other leg.

2. Lengthening of the spine

• Lie on your back on a mat or rug.
• Place your arms perpendicular to your body, in the shape of a cross. Your palms have to touch the ground.
• Bring your right knee over your left, rotate your hip and rest it on the floor. The leg must be at a right angle.
• The left leg must not be bent.

• Hold for a few seconds and repeat with the other leg.

3. Knee-to-Chest Stretch

• Lie on your back on a mat or rug.
• Raise your right knee to your chest and hold it with both hands.
• Do not lift your right foot off the ground.
• Hold for a few seconds and repeat with the other leg.

Making a habit of performing these simple exercises on a daily basis will improve our physical and psychological balance. Taking time every day to fill ourselves with psychological oxygen is something that we cannot “put off for later”, as our well-being is something that we should never postpone. Our life depends on it.

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