The Psoas Book

I am reviewing the 30th Anniversary Revised edition published in 2012. I cannot make comparisons with earlier editions as I do not have them, however I notice that most reviews predate this new edition. My work in yoga had already led me to recognise the psoas as a key core muscle but too often not recognised as such, and in many people completely off their awareness radar. I have witnessed how finding and working to release and tone the psoas muscle can literally increase people's wellbeing and joy. Liz Koch's little book is a gem that explains how this is so, as well as providing a gentle understanding of how to work with this forgotten muscle. Far from condemning the stick figures as some reviewers have done, I would like to defend them as they give a very clear uncluttered view of how to work the exercises being suggested. This is a book I would recommend to yoga teachers to understand better the role of the psoas in yogasana, and how they might employ psoas work into asana classes to the tremendous benefit of their students.

Years of on an off aching in my hip area after a gymnastics injury as a teen explained, and resolved in 2 weeks, while doing easy pleasant exercises from this book. I can do these exercises now while sitting and watching the weather on TV, and also as a passenger on car rides. Laying in bed in the morning, and before sleep. No need for extra gym membership, or outfit. Liz Koch, I want to thank you for putting this amazing information together. In 2 weeks I have grown almost an inch as the tight psoas muscle released my full height. The several simple exercises requiring no equipment beside our own body are brilliant. Doing them 1x daily and then paying attention to the psoas muscle every now and then is unwinding decades of stress from my body. I noticed that I smile more often, and I breathe with more ease. This is a book I highly recommend to anyone who has suffered from back pain, poor posture, feeling of shallow breathing,or belly sticking out from a fairly athletic body. I am a professional in body aligment field. A client told me about The Psoas Book about 3 years ago. It was on my wish list about 2. Don't wait as long as I did, reap the benefits now.

I have ordered several copies of this book over the last few years, as I am a professional massage therapist and have lent copies to clients numerous times. Many people suffer from back discomfort due to the psoas muscle being tight and pulling the lower back area out of normal alignment. My clients have felt this book to be extremely helpful in eliminating psoas muscle spasm and for ongoing maintenance in that area. There is very little information available on treating the psoas muscle and this is the first time I have found a book devoted to self care. The book is well written with many excellent illustrations of how to do the exercises, all of which are very clear and easy for clients to follow. Many clients have, after borrowing it, ordered a copy of the book to keep.

I bought this book because I suffer from ilio-psoas syndrome. This is a great book! Very informative, easy to read, easy to understand. I really appreciate that I can loan it to my clients who have psoas problems, and they can understand it and apply what it offers for solutions. I highly recommend this book to everyone, really, because most people don't understand the importance of the psoas, and all the body's problems that can stem from it.

This was a very in-depth look at the psoas and a fascinating read for me. I am a yoga instructor with a great interest in anatomy. The book is readable and the illustrations, though not as sharp as computer generated illustrations, aid in understanding the text. I read it in one sitting and will refer back to it often I'm sure.

I was initially disappointed when I received the book, it was so skinny with larger lettering! I couldn't see how it could contain enough valuable information, especially for what it cost! After reading most of it, I see that the insight into the psoas and the technique for relaxation and healing are useful, I just need to put into practice! Hopefully I can't find the relief from my cranky psoas muscle that others have. Lots of work to do!

Liz Koch is considered the leading expert on the psoas muscle and her work is highly respected. I read favourable reviews on other websites regarding this text and since I am currently pursuing my yoga teacher training certification I felt it would be an excellent addition to my yoga collection. In addition, Liz Koch is a fellow scoliosis suffer and I was therefore hoping she shared some of her experiences with her condition. Unfortunately, I was left mostly disappointed. This book is a good and quick read (I read it in one sitting), especially for anyone that has a very limited understanding of the iliopsoas however it reads like an academic paper. The writing style is basic but I was surprised at how basic the diagrams and illustrations were as well. She does cover off a section on emotional responses that impact the psoas and childhood development in respect to the development and use of the psoas muscle which was interesting. I also appreciated the section on reproductive health and how psoas issues can impact a woman's health, fertility etc. The section on how to release the psoas maybe didn't impact me as much as other readers because I already study yoga asanas and was aware of different poses to release the psoas. I would just encourage anyone that plans to purchase this text to remember that it is more like an academic paper and not so much a full blown, in depth text on the subject (ie. the font is very large so the 80+ pages could be misleading). Another reviewer mentioned Clair Davies' book, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook and I would recommend this book as well. It is very in depth although I haven't reviewed it in a while and cannot remember how much detail it has on the psoas muscle specifically.

I had heard that the psoas is deeply connected to everything else going on in our body, and now I get it. WOW! It's tied to breathing, walking emotions / fear response... you name it. I appreciate the details being presented in a language I can understand as well as offering a poses to awaken, release, & strengthen these deep muscles. I ordered a Slo-Mo ball which she suggested to start working on it. ... not that it's necessary - most of the exercises don't require any props.

It's look like a book has been photocopied, not from original printout, very disappointing for the cost,

Good reading material and exercises

This is a one of a kind exploration of a muscle which is not much talked about in this kind of depth; and which made a huge difference to me in my understanding of my lower back/hip pain, and some of my unresolved and unrecognized issues with anger. I highly recommend it

Yoga teacher recommended! For a long term injury. Working my way through it 🤞🤞

Can't go wrong with Liz Koch...different perspective on an old concept