Yoga International – The Vital Psoas Muscle Physical, Emotional, and Energetic Perspectives

Teacher: Jo Ann Staugaard-Jones

Learn all about the versatility of the psoas in this short course that’s designed to help you understand the function of this major muscle in your yoga practice and in your overall well-being. Jo Ann Staugaard-Jones, professor of kinesiology and author of The Vital Psoas Muscle, begins with an introduction to the anatomy of the psoas and the connective tissue that surrounds it and to the many ways we can stretch, stabilize, and strengthen the psoas in yoga.

Then, to give you more context for this “organ of perception” in yoga and in daily movement, Jo Ann discusses how the central nervous system impacts the psoas and how the chakra system is a lens through which you can understand this core muscle. She offers you different ways to think about how your emotions and experiences can affect the health and mobility of your psoas. You’ll do two practices so you can experience these concepts for yourself: “Maintaining a Healthy Psoas” and “Legs on a Chair.”

The course concludes with a short session where Jo Ann offers you an anatomy checklist so that you can improve the alignment of your psoas during yoga practice and deepen the emotional and spiritual perspective that you bring to your mat.