Q & A: Can Awareness Heal My Psoas?

Q:  If the psoas is part of the reptilian or subconscious brain, as you allude to in your recent book review (found in the quarterly newsletter) and can not be controlled Read More…

Dem Bones - As Seen in Massage & Bodywork Magazine Article

Read my latest article Dem Bones in the Oct/Nov issue of Massage and Bodywork Magazine. Then join me, along with Pioneer Somatic Educator Emilie Conrad, for a 3-day exploration where bones becomes the vital expression of living tissue. Workshop is January 18th through the 20th 2008 at the Continuum Studio in Santa Monica, California. See the full workshop details and register online on my workshop schedule.

Q & A: Can The Psoas Muscle Be Controlled?

Q: In a book review, in your recent newsletter, you comment that “because the psoas muscle is part of the “reptilian” or subconscious brain and cannot be controlled by conscious intention…”. However, in your Psoas Book, you have exercises/techniques for releasing, toning and strengthening the psoas muscle…should I be confused?

A: The appearance of confusion may be in defining the word control. The psoas is part of the primitive brain, central nervous system and the enteric brain or what we commonly refer to as our gut feelings. This survival response is vital to our very existence. Although the messages that we receive may be masked, misinterpreted, ignored or repressed, the message is true - just as gut feelings are true. The body doesn’t lie. So although one cannot stop the message (control) one can respond to it by consciously paying attention. In The Psoas Book (which by the way I wrote almost 30 years ago), I understood that one can’t “control” the muscles message however it is possible to sense and experience its movement. Release of tissue tension, the quality of tone and lengthening (not to be confused with strengthening) can feel dynamic and powerful. The key word here is AWARENESS. Release, tone and lengthening are simply movement experiences that enhance body awareness or somatic perception of internal messages within the tissue that is called psoas. One can become aware of the psoas through isolated movements: One can become whole by listening to its message. Awareness, rather than control is the path to wholeness and thus a healthy psoas.

Q & A: Psoas Explorations After Sexual Abuse?

Q: As a survivor of Incest in my teens, I wonder whether your course and books provide a way for me to connect with my body and my sexuality? My experiences have had a profound impact on my personal life and now in my late 30’s I am perhaps stronger to really tackle them head on. Read More…

Q & A: What’s the Connection Between the Psoas & Lordosis?

Q: I’ve played basketball all my life and have really bad lordosis. I have tried all different types of stretching philosophies and have contacted several experts about stretching with no success. I bought your book not really with the hope of fixing the problem but to learn a little more about the Psoas muscle. Read More…

New Phone Numbers

I’ve added new phone numbers to help international customers reach me. I now have three telephone numbers including a West Coast (Santa Cruz), East Coast (New York City), and United Kingdom extension for European customers. My office runs on California time (Pacific Standard Time). For more information, please contact me.