Anatomy lessons for art-life -- Updated 7.24.19

Anatomy lessons for artists aren’t just about drawing. 

Mental, emotional and physical stress — including prolonged sitting— constricts the psoas muscle. Tightness in the psoas, a deep seated core muscle and the largest of the hip flexors, is often the root of chronic back, hip or even shoulder pain. 

This image #1 of 2 (from the Banda-Yoga Facebook page) illustrates how the psoas connects with the diaphragm, impacting breathing. 

Stand up. Stretch. Take deep breaths. Walk around.

More posts here on the blog about the importance of maintaining fitness for long art career.

http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/11/posts-in-progress-and-psa.html

also a multi-part series on "yoga for artists"
(always consult your own doctor before beginning any fitness routine)
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2015/04/yoga-for-artists-introduction-art.html
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2015/04/yoga-for-artists-lesson-1-releases-for.html
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2015/06/yoga-lesson-2-upper-body-stretches.html

Be proactive about your fitness now -- so you can be productive for a career.

Post from the Bandha Yoga Facebook page (7.22.19) explains the Psoas illustration:

The Diaphragm-Psoas Connection (1)
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1. diaphragm 
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2. diaphragm tendon 
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3. aortic aperture
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4. psoas arcade
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5. vena caval aperture
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6. esophageal aperture
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The thoracic diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities. The contractile part of this muscle is located peripherally, inserting onto a central tendon (that is not connected to a bone). The origins of the muscle are divided into costal and lumbar portions. The “costal” portion originates from the inner surface of ribs seven through twelve. The “lumbar” portion has both medial (closer to the midline) and lateral (further from the midline) aspects. The medial aspects of the diaphragm arise from the front of the first three lumbar vertebrae (L1-L3). The lateral aspects arise from three tendinous arches. The first tendinous arch is associated with the abdominal aorta, and the second and third with the psoas major and quadratus lumborum muscles respectively.
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Excerpt from: “Sankalpa, Visualization and Yoga: The Diaphragm-Psoas Connection”
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Read more @ www.DailyBandha.com

Image #2 of 2

Part 2 from Bandha Yoga Facebook page (7.24.19)
The Diaphragm-Psoas Connection (2)
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1 - psoas major 
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2 - psoas minor 
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3 - iliacus
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4 - iliopsoas (at tendon attachment to the lesser trochanter)
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The psoas major muscle originates from the vertebral bodies of T12 and L1 through L4 (lateral surfaces and discs), with a deep layer originating from L1-L5 (costal processes). It combines with the iliacus muscle, which originates from the inside of the ilium (the iliac fossa) to form the iliopsoas muscle. The iliopsoas then runs over the brim of the pelvis to insert onto the lesser trochanter, a knob-like structure on the upper, inside of the femur (thigh bone). The iliopsoas crosses multiple joints and is thus considered a polyarticular muscle. When contracting on one side it can act to flex and externally rotate the femur and/or laterally flex the trunk (as in Trikonasana) or tilt one side of the pelvis forward. When the iliopsoas contracts on both sides it can flex both femurs and the trunk. Bilaterally contracting this muscle lifts the trunk from supine position (lying on the back).
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Excerpt from: “Sankalpa, Visualization and Yoga: The Diaphragm-Psoas Connection”
Read more @ www.DailyBandha.com
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