The Book of Psoas was written by Liz Koch and first published in 1981. Liz has been practicing the healing arts for over 30 years. She is the author of several books related to core health and specializes in body treatments with a focus on the iliopsoas muscle. Liz has also developed a program called “Core Awareness” which, using core muscle techniques, develops and enhances the proprioceptive nervous system. This system manages the orientation, balance and alignment of the skeleton.
The iliopsoas muscle is believed to contribute to both physical health and emotional well-being. Liz’s 85 pages provide a detailed explanation of the muscle, its connections to holistic health, and practical tips and exercises to release and balance the psoas. The Book of Psoas is just one of several books, articles, and publications that are geared toward improving health and rebalancing the body through a holistic center-of-self approach.
Ms. Koch begins The Psoas Book by identifying the exact location and anatomy of the psoas muscle, as well as defining its general relationship and influence on the organs, bones, and muscles of the body. She goes on to describe all of the various functions that the psoas muscle provides to the body, such as organ storage, fluid pumping, and proper smooth leg performance. She explains the additional effects of the psoas, including its influence on balance, organ function, breathing, joint function, and muscle response. Ms. Koch pays special attention to the unique considerations of psoas release in relation to women’s health, including relief of menstrual cramps, positive effects during pregnancy, improvement of labor and delivery, as well as hormonal stability during menopause.
However, as a reviewer, I disagree with the authors’ statement that manipulation techniques are not recommended in The Psoas Book, since the iliopsoas muscle is partly responsible for the automatic, biological fight-or-flight response of the psoas. body.
She completes her book with instructions on the best exercises to release the psoas muscle, recounts some other popular somatic approaches, and tips on how to exercise, strengthen, and tone the muscle while doing regular activities.
Barry Jenings Myofascial Release
