In The Vital Psoas Muscle,author Jo Ann Staugaard-Jones, professor at County College of Morris for more than 30 years and now an international educator, presents an in-depth, critical look at this most important skeletal muscle and the area surrounding it, which affects the health of body, mind, and spirit. With detailed illustrations and key stretching and strengthening exercises, including complete chapters on the role of the psoas in Pilates and yoga, the book shows readers how to release this muscle to create balance, harmony, and freedom of movement. 

Staugaard-Jones, who offers Psoas workshops throughout the country, will present one on Friday, May 3, 7pm, at the Pocono Environmental Education Center as part of a weekend relaxation retreat, and another on Sunday, June 30, at the New Jersey Transformational Yoga Conference. 

Located deep within the front hip joint and lower spine, the psoas is critical for optimal postural alignment, movement, and overall well-being as it also affects the nerve complex (the solar and lumbar plexi) and energy systems (the chakras).  Because of its attachments in the deep core, it is the only muscle in the human body that connects the upper and lower body.Emotionally the muscle acts as a messenger to and from the brain and can become a vessel of deeply rooted feelings. Spiritually it acts as an integrator within the root of the lower chakras, subtly affecting the flow of life energy. Understanding and working with the psoas can help alleviate lower back pain, strengthen the core, correct posture, reduce trauma and open energy channels.

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