Somatic TFL and Psoas Release

Article At A Glance
Our lives give us plenty of opportunities to explore and understand their ever-changing nature. In honor of the flow of change, I’m offering a new somatic movement flow. This flow focuses on the lower back, hips, and legs.
Somatic Movement Flow for Those Who Sit or Stand All Day Long
The Somatic Movement Flow in the video above can help those of us that sit for lengths of time. It can be especially useful to people who are standing on their feet all day. This flow can help relieve the pain in the lower back and hips that come with the pressure of standing or sitting too long.
This is also for people who like to walk, hike, run, or bike. It’s an excellent sequence to improve performance and strength. This Somatic Movement Flow called the “Somatic TFL and Psoas Release,” will reset the inner and outer thigh muscles to their optimal length in a resting position. This means you gain flexibility, strength, and range of motion.
What Are the TFL and Psoas Muscles?
The key benefit to this flow is the release of tightness in the TFL (tensor fasciae latae), the IT (iliotibial) band, and the psoas muscle. The tensor fasciae latae muscle group helps to stabilize the hip in extension and assists the gluteus maximus during hip extension.
The psoas is the primary muscle group that connects the upper body to the lower body. Its function is a major contributor to hip joint flexion. The psoas also plays an essential role in helping us walk. The psoas also affects posture and stabilizes the spine. Most people in the modern world have tight psoas muscles. This can cause a multitude of problems, such as chronic low back pain, poor posture, constipation, leg length discrepancy, internal or external leg rotation, and sciatica.
The iliotibial band (IT band) is a long piece of connective tissue, or fascia, that runs along the outside of your leg from the hip to the knee and shin bone. This band helps to extend and rotate the hip. It works with the quadriceps (front thigh muscles) to provide stability to the outside of the knee joint during movement.
Please enjoy practicing this Somatic Movement Flow and enjoy the immediate benefits of release. Enjoy!
Also, read...
Yoga in the Treatment of Scoliosis—A Doctor’s Perspective
Jun 13 – By: Loren M. Fishman, MD, B. Phil., (oxon.)
Are Women More Vulnerable to SI Joint Pain? How Yoga Can Help
May 04 – Olga Kabel C-IAYT
Related courses
Reconnecting with Stillness: Yin Yoga for Nervous System Integration
With Melina Meza
Free Download! Your Body Holds the Key: Unlocking Your Inner Healer
With Lynn Crimando
Reprinted with permission from James Knight/Somatic Movement Center.

James has been an E-RYT, CHSE (Certified Hanna Somatic Educator), and Integrative Therapist for 25+ years. His passion is to inspire and encourage others to live a fulfilling life of physical, emotional, and spiritual freedom. From his combined experience as a lifelong yogi, intuitive bodyworker, psychotherapist, and movement educator, James founded a method of integrating what he discovered to be the most progressive, life-enhancing techniques into an embodied practice of mindful movement. Gentle Somatic Yoga (GSY) was born out of years of exploring means of connecting with the most profound aspects of himself.
As an architectural and interior designer, master Feng Shui consultant, and professional photographer, James enjoys designing sacred spaces and other creative endeavors that reflect his spiritual aesthetic. On a personal level, he enjoys spending quality time with loved ones while cultivating and energizing conscious community. James spends much of his time traveling the world facilitating teacher training certifications, workshops, and cultural immersion retreats.
Recent articles
Yoga Teaching & Practice: Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose) – Tutorial Yoga Video
Oct 03 – YogaUOnline staff
Yoga Teachers: Are You Practicing With Your Students?
Oct 02 – Allison Ray Jeraci ERYT-500, RPYT, YACEP
Feeling Stressed? Warrior Poses Unleash Your Inner Strength
Sep 30 – Kathryn Boland, R-CYT, R-DMT
Categories
Upcoming courses
Reconnecting with Stillness: Yin Yoga for Nervous System Integration
With Melina Meza
NEW MASTERCLASS
Recent articles
Almost there...
Sorry, we couldn't find anything...
Pose Library
Yoga Teaching & Practice: Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose) – Tutorial Yoga Video
Every yoga pose is challenging in its own way, and Parivrrta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle…
Oct 03 – YogaUOnline staff
Yoga Teaching
Yoga Teachers: Are You Practicing With Your Students?
As a yoga teacher, I’m constantly looking for more tools to add to my…
Oct 02 – Allison Ray Jeraci ERYT-500, RPYT, YACEP
Pose Library
Feeling Stressed? Warrior Poses Unleash Your Inner Strength
Our modern lives can often feel hectic and stressful. Unexpected challenges and changes can…
Sep 30 – Kathryn Boland, R-CYT, R-DMT