TRIGGER: While reading and hearing about trauma – even if it is not your experience – there is the potential to be triggered. Please take care of yourself. This article is not a replacement for advice or treatment with a licensed health professional. 

The idea that the psoas muscle is the “seat of the soul” stems from the belief that it plays a significant role in storing and processing deep-seated emotions, particularly fear, stress, and trauma.

Here’s what it means when we refer to the psoas as the “seat of the soul”:

1. Connection to Survival Instincts

The psoas is intimately tied to the body’s fight-or-flight response, which is activated during moments of fear, stress, or danger. This ancient survival mechanism causes the psoas to contract, preparing the body for action—either to fight or flee. Because it is activated during times of intense emotional or physical stress, the psoas becomes a repository for those emotions. Over time, this tension can become ingrained, trapping emotional experiences in the body. 

To explain this in simpler terms:  During Stressful and or traumatic experiences, The nervous system receives information that the body is being attacked or is under threat, the body goes into high-alert and the psoas muscles tighten and contract as a means of defence and protection.  

Each new triggering event (these can be events that are merely stressful and not fully traumatizing) creates additional tension as the psoas remembers what it learned during the original traumatic event: when my body is attacked, I must harden my shell to protect it.

2. Emotional and Energetic Storage

According to many somatic healing traditions, emotions—especially unresolved or repressed ones—are stored in the body. The psoas, as one of the deepest muscles in the body, is thought to hold onto unresolved trauma, fear, anxiety, and emotional pain. The idea that the psoas is the “seat of the soul” suggests that this muscle is a physical and energetic center where emotions related to survival and safety are housed.

3. Connection to the Core and Stability

The psoas muscle is one of the central muscles connecting the upper and lower body, playing a crucial role in core stability, posture, and movement.  The psoas, being deeply embedded in the core of the body, is viewed as central to grounding our physical and emotional well-being, allowing us to move freely and live fully in the present.

4. The Link Between the Physical and Emotional Body

The term “seat of the soul” suggests a profound connection between the physical body and the emotional or spiritual self. The psoas links our body to our deepest emotions and subconscious experiences. When we experience stress, fear, or trauma, the psoas often tightens and locks, reflecting the tension in our emotional state. By addressing tension in the psoas, we can begin to release emotional blockages, leading to greater emotional clarity and a deeper sense of inner peace.

To say that the psoas is the “seat of the soul” is to acknowledge the profound way this muscle links our physical body with our emotional and energetic states. The psoas is more than just a muscle for movement—it’s a key to understanding how we store and process emotions, particularly those related to survival and fear. Healing and releasing tension in the psoas can lead to deeper emotional well-being and a reconnection to one’s inner self.

Where Is the Psoas Muscle Located?

The psoas muscle is part of the iliopsoas group and connects the spine to the lower body. It starts at the lower vertebrae of the lumbar spine, passes through the pelvis, and attaches to the femur (thigh bone). It is one of the key muscles involved in core stability and mobility, especially responsible for hip flexion. The psoas allows you to bend at the waist, lift your knees, and engage in walking or running. Since it bridges the upper and lower body, it has significant implications for movement, posture, and stability.

What Causes a Weak Psoas Muscle?

Several factors can contribute to a weak or dysfunctional psoas muscle:

1. Sedentary Lifestyle: Prolonged sitting or lack of movement shortens and weakens the psoas muscle. When seated, the muscle remains in a shortened state, leading to tightness and dysfunction over time.
2. Poor Posture: Slouching or improper posture while standing or sitting strains the psoas, leading to imbalances.
3. Muscle Imbalances: Weakness in the surrounding muscles, such as the core or glutes, can result in the psoas overcompensating, leading to strain and eventual weakness.
4. Stress and Trauma: Chronic stress can cause the psoas muscle to tighten and lock up. This muscle is deeply connected to the fight-or-flight response, often holding onto emotional tension.

Symptoms of a Weak Psoas Muscle

A weak or tight psoas muscle can manifest in various ways, often leading to discomfort or limitations in movement. Some common symptoms include:

• Lower Back Pain: Since the psoas attaches to the lumbar spine, weakness or dysfunction often leads to tension and pain in the lower back.
• Hip and Groin Pain: A tight psoas may cause discomfort or pain in the hips, groin, or pelvic region.
• Postural Problems: Weakness in the psoas can result in poor posture, often causing a swayback (exaggerated curvature of the lower spine) or anterior pelvic tilt.
• Difficulty Standing or Walking: The psoas plays a crucial role in hip flexion, so weakness can make standing, walking, or climbing stairs difficult or painful.
• Digestive Issues: Since the psoas runs through the abdominal cavity, tension in the muscle can impact digestion by compressing surrounding organs.
• Reduced Mobility: Weakness or tightness in the psoas limits range of motion in the hips, making it hard to perform movements like lunges or squats effectively.

Description of Psoas Pain

Psoas pain is often described as deep and persistent. It can be felt in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or groin, sometimes radiating down to the thighs. This pain can feel tight, stiff, or cramp-like and may worsen after sitting for long periods, standing up quickly, or doing intense physical activity. Because of the muscle’s deep location, the pain may feel as if it’s coming from inside the body, rather than just a surface ache.

Trauma Stored in the Psoas Muscle

The psoas muscle is unique in that it is intricately connected to the body’s survival mechanism—specifically the fight-or-flight response. When faced with danger or stress, the psoas contracts, readying the body to either flee or fight. In modern life, while we may not always face physical threats, emotional stressors like anxiety, trauma, or fear trigger the same response, causing the psoas to tense up.

Emotional Trauma and the Psoas: Traumatic experiences—especially those that lead to unresolved emotional tension—can be stored in the psoas muscle, keeping it in a constant state of readiness. This can lead to chronic tension in the muscle, even long after the trauma has passed. People who have experienced significant emotional or physical trauma may have a chronically tight psoas, manifesting as unexplained physical pain or discomfort. This muscle tends to “remember” traumatic events, storing fear, anxiety, and unresolved emotions deep within the body.

How to Release Trauma from the Psoas Muscle

Releasing stored tension and trauma from the psoas muscle requires a combination of physical and emotional techniques. Here are some effective ways to address psoas tightness and facilitate emotional healing:

1. Gentle Stretching and Yoga: Specific yoga poses like the Pigeon Pose, Bridge Pose, and Lunges help lengthen and relax the psoas. These stretches can reduce tension, increase flexibility, and bring awareness to any emotional sensations that may arise.
2. Somatic Healing Techniques: Somatic therapy, which emphasizes the connection between the body and emotions, is often used to release trauma stored in muscles like the psoas. Through mindful movement, deep breathing, and body awareness, individuals can begin to release the tension held within the muscle.
3. Trauma Release Exercises (TRE): TRE is a method designed to activate the body’s natural tremor response, which helps release deep muscular tension and trauma. By performing specific exercises, the body can shake off stored stress, helping to relax the psoas and other areas where trauma might be held.
4. Massage and Myofascial Release: Deep tissue massage and myofascial release techniques can physically work out knots, adhesions, and tension within the psoas. Working with a trained bodyworker who understands trauma release can provide both physical relief and emotional release.
5. Breathwork: Breathing exercises, especially diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing, can help relax the psoas muscle. Deep, slow breaths signal to the body that it is safe, helping to undo the tension associated with the fight-or-flight response.
6. Emotional Processing: Addressing the underlying emotional or psychological trauma through therapy, journaling, or self-reflection is essential for full release. As the emotional charge is processed, the physical tension in the psoas can naturally dissipate.

The psoas muscle is not just essential for physical movement but also plays a profound role in our emotional well-being. Whether you’re experiencing lower back pain, postural imbalances, or emotional tension, recognizing the importance of the psoas is the first step in healing. Through a combination of stretching, somatic practices, and emotional release techniques, you can restore balance and health to this deeply connected muscle, supporting both your body and mind in the process.

“Unresolved Patterns of Tension” or “Traumatic Residue”

These unresolve patters of tension in the body, related to incomplete actions of fight, flight, or freeze (FFF). This idea is rooted in:

1. Somatic Experiencing (SE) by Peter Levine

2. Polyvagal Theory (PVT) by Stephen Porges

3. Trauma release methods

What happens:

When faced with a threat, the body’s FFF response is triggered. If the threat passes, but the response isn’t fully completed (e.g., you can’t escape or defend), the tension remains. This unresolved tension becomes “stuck” in the body, often manifesting as:

Physical symptoms:

– Chronic pain or tension

– Muscle stiffness or weakness

– Digestive issues

– Respiratory problems

– Fatigue or lethargy

Emotional and psychological symptoms:

– Anxiety or hypervigilance

– Depression or emotional numbness

– Dissociation or disconnection

– Intrusive thoughts or memories

Trauma release and resolution:

To release trapped tension, various techniques can help:

1. Somatic Experiencing (SE)

2. Trauma Release Exercises (TRE)

3. Mindfulness and breathwork

4. Body-oriented psychotherapy

5. Vagus nerve stimulation

These methods aim to:

1. Identify and acknowledge trapped tension

2. Release physical tension through movement or relaxation

3. Re-regulate the nervous system

4. Enhance resilience and coping mechanisms

Key principles:

1. Pendulation: oscillating between tension and relaxation

2. Titration: gradual exposure to traumatic memories or sensations – breaking down overwhelming

    experience into smaller more manageable parts.

3. Container-building: establishing a sense of safety and control: (This exercise requires an

     imaginary box, where the client visually place each emotion or situation that causes mental    

     trauma into this container.  The idea is to deal with each situation once the client has learned

     skills to handle the situation.  Once all the difficult thoughts and emotions are inside, securely

     close and lock the container.

By addressing unresolved patterns of tension, individuals can:

1. Reduce symptoms

2. Improve emotional regulation

3. Enhance overall well-being

Here are some resources and techniques to help release unresolved patterns of tension:

Techniques:

1. Somatic Experiencing (SE): Peter Levine’s method focusing on bodily sensations.

2. Trauma Release Exercises (TRE): Developed by David Berceli, uses physical exercises to release    

    tension.

3. Mindfulness and Breathwork:

4. Body-Oriented Psychotherapy: Somatic Psychology.

5. Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Techniques like Vagus Nerve Toning, Auricular Therapy.

Resources:

Books:

1. “Waking the Tiger” by Peter Levine

2. “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk

3. “Trauma and Recovery” by Judith Herman

4. “The Polyvagal Theory” by Stephen Porges

Websites:

1. Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute ((link unavailable))

2. Trauma Release Exercises ((link unavailable))

3. The Polyvagal Institute ((link unavailable))

4. National Center for Trauma and Resilience ((link unavailable))

Practitioners and Training:

1. Find certified Somatic Experiencing practitioners ((link unavailable))

2. Trauma Release Exercises certification programs ((link unavailable))

3. Polyvagal Theory training ((link unavailable))

Remember, working with a qualified practitioner or therapist is essential for safe and effective trauma release.