December Focus: What's a Dosha?

Thank you for joining us in November for yoga practice and discussion of the psoas muscle. The psoas is the only muscle that connects the spine to the lower limbs. It is the bodies center for movement. This triangular shaped muscle is believed to be linked to emotions, and habitual patterns of holding and is located behind the solar plexus. With greater awareness of the psoas, we are able to move more freely and gracefully through life.

This December we will explore the three doshas. In Ayurvedic science theory, health exists when there is balance between the three bodily humors known as : Vata, Kapha, and Pitta.



This month we will explore dosha and it's ayurvedic base. We will begin to identify our own dominant dosha and how it relates to food, lifestyle and yoga.

3 Mind/Body (Dosha) Types:

Pitta

Kapha

Vata

Psoas Muscle (pronounced: so-az)

- Psoas muscle is triangular in shape and not easily visible to the naked eye

- Psoas is the only muscle connecting the spine to the leg

- Psoas is known to be the center of movement for the body

- Top of Psoas attaches along (5) vertebrae bodies, starting a the last thoracic vertebrae (T12) + continues to attach to each lumbar vertebrae, terminating at the lumbar vertebrae (L4)

- Believed to be linked to emotions and habitual patterns of holding; located behind solar plexus

- Psoas resides where gut feelings are felt

- Psoas effects: structural balance, muscular integrity, flexibility, strength, range of motion, joint stability, and organ functioning

- Energetically contributes to fight or flight: curling into ball for protection or running in fear, which deeply effects emotion and habitual patterns of ‘holding’


References:

Liz Koch. The Psoas Book. Guinea Pig Publications, 1997.

Bandha Yoga : http://www.bandhayoga.com/keys_psoas.html