LATS ~ Wings of Support

The latissimus dorsi (Latin for broadest muscle of the back) has a unique relationship with the psoas; like lovers, they complement each other. Yet like all couples, they are completely different and unique. The psoas is central to the core, while the “lat” expands laterally up and away from the core. The psoas is very deep and the lat is very superficial. The psoas connects spine to leg while the lat connects spine and pelvis to arm. The psoas takes us into our core; the lat takes us out toward the world. The psoas is all about core integrity; the lat is all about reaching out into the world and bringing the world back to the core. The tango they dance together is a beautiful balance of yin and yang, male and female, personal and communal energies, and interwoven dynamics. The freedom of one depends upon the freedom of the other; flowing in harmony together, they support wholeness and congruent behavior. When dry and dense, the latissimus can restrain even simple arm movements and arm move- ments can pull on the pelvic basin. Thus, opening this tissue is essen- tial for maintaining a centered pelvis.