In this Micro Pause we explore the relationship between the lower back and the iliopsoas muscle. The iliopsoas muscle is the main muscle that connects the upper and the lower body. Its a long muscle, and its located deep within the body. It goes from the lower back all the way to the thigh bone, or bones, because you do of course have to iliopsoas muscles, one on each side. If it is tense it may pull on the lower back, creating a sense of compression. For every step you take the psoas muscles are trained! Every time you walk you will both stretch and engage the iliopsoas muscles, simply by letting them do what they are designed to do. The more time you spend sitting down, the shorter, weaker and more tense they will become.


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Body Intelligence – Dive Deeper, 3: notice how you sit

If you’re like most people you will spend a great part of your days sitting down. Becoming aware of how you sit doesn’t necessarily mean you have to change the way you sit, but you can use the awareness to learn more about yourself. How do you sit when you feel great? How do you sit when you feel sad? Now, go on to observe!

Body Intelligence – Dive deeper, 1: sensory hands

Did you ever think of your hands as sensory organs? Try this cool exercise: next time you are using your hands to reach for something or grab something from where your eyes can’t reach, like the back of a drawer or a cabinet, close your eyes and observe how that immediately shifts your focus into your hands. If you really pay attention you will find that it’s like a switch, eyes off, hands on, eyes on, hands off. The palms of our hands are great at sending information to the brain about the environment. Now, start tuning in!

Breathe your arms up and down

Breathing exercise with a somatic focus. Letting the breath guide simple movements of the body helps your mind stay focused on the physical sensation. Great for when you feel overwhelmed, stressed or in need of grounding yourself.

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