The most important exercises for a flexible hip and your mental well-being.
Did you know that your soul has its own muscle? It is the psoas muscle, which is a component of our hip muscles.
A free and mobile hip is not only very beneficial for many sports, but also for our health. In fact, many back problems have their origin in our hips. The hip is the connection between the upper and lower body. It is therefore a central element of our body.
The psoas muscle is one of the most important hip muscles. From an anatomical point of view, it originates on the right and left sides of the lower lumbar spine, runs through the lower abdomen and pelvis, and ultimately ends at the upper end of the femur. Thus, the psoas muscle is the only muscle that provides a direct connection between your spine and your legs!
Without the psoas muscle, you wouldn't be able to climb stairs or walk. Without it, you wouldn't even be able to stand up straight because it acts as a stabilizer to support your spine. In addition, the psoas has an important function in blood flow, organ function, and your diaphragmatic breathing.
But why is the psoas muscle also called the muscle of the soul?
The reason is that it performs important functions between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor. It can release tension, balance your nervous system, regulate your breathing, give you a sense of protection, stability and well-being. As the familiar and supportive muscle of your lower abdominal organs, the psoas senses irregularities and is thus known as the second brain.
When your body is constantly flooded with cortisol and adrenaline due to stress, the psoas muscle responds with excessive tension, which results in the diaphragm working in excessive tension as well. The body falls into escape-fight mode. If this state remains for a long period of time without a relaxation impulse, the psoas muscle remains in a hardened permanent state, suggesting to your body an ongoing danger.
In the end, this can often lead to unexplained back pain, sciatica or digestive problems.
In my weeks video I show you the 5 best exercises for the entire hip muscles.
The exercises will help you if you are
- are an athlete, runner and especially an endurance athlete, because the hip and especially the psoas is often "tight" and shortened,
- you often suffer from long-lasting or unexplained back pain
- if you have the feeling of being permanently under stress and tension
1. help against low moods
Repeated use is recommended.
Get in motion!
Mind and body are not separate, so a dull mood can often be changed by movement or a conscious upright posture (see Embodiment). The perfect mood lifter is (naked) yoga. Yoga activates your entire body-mind system. Purposeful and conscious postures quiet your mind and get your energy flowing. Just give it a try!
