The 'Muscle Of The Soul' Is The Main Source Of Your Anxiety And Fear

Aug 13, 2018

Do you have a lot of overwhelmingly anxious thoughts? They might seem to occupy your mind, but in fact, they have a very different source.

The psoas major muscle has been called the "muscle of the soul" and, according to some experts, is the source of all your anxious thoughts.

According to author Liz Koch, the psoas "embodies our deepest urge for survival." Sounds like something that you shouldn't ignore!

This muscle is located close to your hip bone. It doesn't just stabilize your body, but your soul as well.

The psoas is also deeply connected to the diaphragm. That's where breathing is regulated, so it's an important source of anxiety relief.

There's a deeper meaning as well. Koch believes that the psoas may also be connected to our spinal cords. This part of the body links with the reptilian part of our brains: the oldest, and most basic, source of thought.

If you find your psoas tensing up anxiety is sure to follow. That's because your brain might become tense, too. It's easy to just dump all of your weight down there since it's close to the base of your spine. Not so fast!

You can find relief from this tension with a few simple stretches.

Start by lying on your back with your knees bent. It's a good idea to do this on a yoga mat or towel for a softer surface. Slowly lift and extend the leg. Then return back to your original position by bending your knee and turning it clockwise.

After doing this for about 10 repetitions on each side, you're ready for the next step. It's the same exercise as before, but now you repeat it from a flat position. Be gentle with yourself! Don't go too fast. Doing this exercise carefully will increase its benefits.

The psoas muscle is evidence that everything in your body is connected. Mental confusion can manifest itself in physical symptoms.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!