Yes. Anatomy forms the foundation of the webinar. Using dissection images, we'll examine the psoas in relation to the lumbar spine, pelvis, hip and surrounding tissues before considering what those relationships might mean in movement.

The psoas can contribute to hip flexion, but describing it simply as a hip flexor misses much of the story. Its function depends upon position, load, which end of the muscle is relatively fixed and what the rest of the system is doing.

It depends on how anyone defines “tight”! A muscle can feel tight without being shortened. Increased activity through an area, guarding, stiffness, sensitivity and reduced tolerance to movement can all produce sensations that could be interpreted as tightness. By itself, it's unlikely that a psoas alone is tight.

The oft repeated claim that sitting somehow shortens the psoas is difficult to support. The webinar will explore how tissues like the psoas can adapt to changing positions and inactivity, without reducing it to a muscle that has become physically stuck at one length.

Parts of the region can be approached manually, but confidently identifying the psoas and determining its mechanical state through layers of abdominal tissue is considerably more difficult than is sometimes suggested. We'll look at the anatomical realities and limitations.

Threat, stress and emotional state are influencers of muscle activity and movement. However this is different from demonstrating that traumatic memories are physically stored inside a particular muscle and this difference will be discussed.

They both have important anatomical and functional relationships within the trunk. However these relationships are sometimes exaggerated into unproven claims of direct mechanical or emotional links. We'll consider the connections and separate them out from direct relationships.

The anatomical relationship between the psoas and lumbar spine makes back pain an important part of the discussion, but the webinar will avoid presenting the psoas as a universal explanation for lumbar pain.

No. Stretching can be useful, but whether it is useful depends on the goal. We'll look at stretching, mobility, loading and movement variability rather than prescribing one universal psoas stretch.

No. It is relevant to massage therapists, bodyworkers, Pilates and yoga teachers, personal trainers, movement professionals and health educators. No advanced anatomy knowledge is required.

Yes. Everyone who purchases the webinar receives access to the recording for 14 days. Touch Move Heal Members receive permanent access as part of their membership.