The Psoas Muscle: where Safety Lives In The body
Tucked deep within the body, the psoas runs along the spine and through the pelvis before attaching to the top of each femur. We actually have two psoas muscles, one on each side, gently holding the bridge between our spine, hips, and legs. Together with the iliacus, they form the iliopsoas — our primary hip flexors.
But the psoas is far more than a hip flexor. It is intimately woven with our nervous system. Some call it the
*muscle of the soul, * as it it carries our earliest memories of safety.
Even in the womb, the psoas responds to signals from the nervous system. Think of a newborn startled by the sense of falling — they instinctively curl into themselves, knees drawn in, tiny spine protected. That same reflex follows us through life. When fear arises, the psoas contracts. In that moment, the body believes:
*I am safe now, I am holding myself together.*
Over time, though, the psoas may learn to live in a quiet state of contraction. Long hours of sitting, moments of bracing against loss or uncertainty, the unspoken weight of grief — all of these can leave the psoas shortened and tight. This may tilt the pelvis, pull at the low back, or make one side feel out of sync with the other.
When we gently release the psoas, space returns. Breath travels more freely. The spine lengthens, the shoulders soften, the hips unburden. And just as importantly, old fear may begin to loosen. Tears may rise, or even nausea. Some women describe feeling vulnerable, as if letting go of this deep muscle might cause them to “fall apart.”
*This is the psoas speaking — not only as muscle, but as memory keeper.*
Yoga and other movement practices offer us safe ways to meet the psoas. In lunges, bridge pose, or supported backbends, we stretch and lengthen. In warrior poses, triangle, or side angle, we activate and strengthen. Holding these shapes with steady breath — a little longer than feels comfortable, perhaps a minute or two — teaches the psoas that it can release without danger, that safety is possible even in openness.
Whenever discomfort arises, physical or emotional, return to your breath. Inhale gently. Exhale a little longer. Let your breath remind the psoas, and remind yourself:
*I am safe here.*
The psoas does not only hold us upright — it holds our stories. When we tend to it with patience and compassion, we are not just lengthening a muscle. We are unlearning fear, softening protection, and creating space within ourselves for something new to grow.
If you notice emotions surfacing as you explore psoas release — or if you sense your body carrying more than it can soften on its own — you don’t have to walk through it alone.
This is the heart of my work with Her Wellness Within: creating safe, supportive space for women to listen to their bodies, calm the nervous system, and begin releasing what has been carried for too long.
✨ Together, we weave gentle practices — movement, breath, herbal supports, and deep rest — so you can reconnect with your body’s messages at a pace that feels safe and compassionate.
If you’re ready to explore your own psoas story, or want to begin tending to the places anxiety and grief live in your body, I invite you to [schedule a free consultation]. We’ll talk about what’s arising for you and explore whether one of my personalized packages is the right next step.
You don’t have to hold it all by yourself. There is a way back to safety, softness, and self-trust.
