The Psoas muscle group is a key attribute of our stance and gait dynamics. It is embedded deeply within our lower torso, and consequently more challenging for many of my clients to cultivate a relationship with. It is common for me to attempt to describe its structure and functions. Here is a video of one of these attempts.
In the video, I neglect one of its key roles, which is that the Psoas Major is the back’s front (anterior) muscles. The large lower back muscle group – Quadratus Lumborum supports the Lumbar Spine from the back, and the Psoas does so from the front.
Actively engaging the Posas group in gait brings the centerline of body mass forward in the gait cycle by bringing the non-load-bearing leg forward for the next stride. If we do not engage the Psoas we essentially fall forward into the next stride. This post offers an example of how endemic this gait pattern is:
Crosswalk Signal Letter to the SFMTA
If you imagine looking at a person’s head from the side as they walk by, when they fall forward in their gait pattern, their head draws a sawtooth wave. If they engage the Psoas group, their head draws a sine wave pattern (related post). This sine wave incurs dramatically less shock loading on the body’s structure – facilitating the regenerative and resilient qualities of our organism.