When most people think about their core, they picture abs—the six-pack everyone loves to show off. But there’s a deeper, often overlooked muscle that plays a crucial role in your posture, movement, and overall health: the psoas.
What Is the Psoas Muscle?
The psoas (pronounced “so-as”) is a deep core muscle that connects your lower spine to your femur (thigh bone). It’s part of a group called the hip flexors, but it’s more than just a muscle for lifting your legs.
Location: Deep in your abdomen, near the lumbar spine
Function: Flexes the hip, stabilizes the spine, supports posture, and enables walking, running, and jumping
Uniqueness: Unlike many muscles, the psoas links the upper body to the lower body, making it a key core stabilizer
Why the Psoas Muscle Is Important
1. Posture and Spinal HealthA tight or weak psoas can tilt your pelvis, create lower back pain, and compromise spinal alignment. A strong, flexible psoas helps maintain proper posture and reduces chronic pain.
2. Mobility and Athletic PerformanceThe psoas is essential for running, kicking, squatting, and jumping. Athletes who neglect it often lack hip mobility and explosive power.
3. Core Stability
Even if you have strong abs, a weak psoas can destabilize your spine. It’s the deep core muscle that keeps your torso connected to your legs.
4. Emotional Connection
Some experts believe the psoas stores stress and tension in the body. Learning to release it through stretching or breathing exercises can improve mental and emotional well-being.-
How to Strengthen and Release the Psoas
Stretching:
Lunges, pigeon pose, and deep hip openers
Strengthening: Hanging leg raises, psoas marches, and controlled knee lifts
Mobility work: Foam rolling, dynamic hip stretches, and yoga flows
Breathwork: Deep diaphragmatic breathing can help relax the psoas and release tension
The psoas may be hidden deep in your core, but it affects everything from posture and pain to athletic performance and emotional balance. Strengthening, stretching, and maintaining it should be a priority for anyone looking to move better, feel better, and live healthier.Your abs may get the spotlight, but your psoas is the unsung hero of your core—supporting every step, jump, and lift you take. Treat it well, and your body will thank you.
