We find an endless array of reciprocal relationships in the body. The pelvic floor and the diaphragm have one of these relationships. In good posture these two structures are level and this is important because they work synergistically. With each inhalation, the diaphragm and pelvic floor should lower fractionally and with each exhale they should rise back up. That top and bottom balance is countered by a front and back dynamic that exists between the psoas and the rectus abdominus. In this relationship with every inhale the psoas settles backwards into the bowl of the pelvis, and the rectus abdominus moves forward allowing for the abdominal contents to be pressed down by the diaphragm. Exhaling brings everything back to the beginning. As you will see below based on the placement of our organs when these structures all move well we are creating the ultimate environment for health.

If everything moves as designed, every breath we take tones, massages and stimulates everything between the diaphragm and the base of the pelvis. Your kidneys live to either side of the psoas. The abdominal aorta moves through the diaphragm and splits into two arteries that follow the path of the psoas into the leg. The bladder and reproductive organs sit in front of the psoas and the stomach and intestines plug into the middle of all this. The large intestine wraps around the small intestine, under the diaphragm and in front of the psoas along the path of the side body.

With every step you take a whole host of muscles spring into action. The psoas is drawn down and back through the inner thigh as that leg extends backwards pulling the pelvis back and the lumbar spine is pulled forward. Your rectus abdominus counters that for tone while other abdominal muscles get involved to aid in the natural rotation that moves up through the spine. As you switch legs the same thing happens on the other side of the body creating a continual rotation through the spine initiated by the psoas. Imagine a washing machine and how it wrings dirt out of your clothes as it works through the wash cycle. When the legs, pelvis, and spine move in harmony with your core muscles, this same action is created in your trunk. The organs all move; toxins get worked out, and healthy tone settles in to organs that are never stagnant.

Finding a healthy walking and breathing pattern involves all of these structures and creates a profoundly healthy and supportive environment for the body.

Jonathan FitzGordon is the creator of the FitzGordon Method Core Walking Program. You can find more information at http://www.fitzgordonmethod.com or visit his blog at http://www.fitzgordonmethod.blogspot.com Jonathan has been practicing yoga since 1995 and has been teaching since 2000, having studied with some of the yoga community's leading teachers. In addition he is a Level II Reiki (healing art) practitioner. The FitzGordon Method is uniquely influenced by the Universal Principles of Alignment as created by John Friend of Anusara Yoga. The program synthesizes years of inquiry and practice and was born out of FitzGordon's personal and professional experience with changing neuromuscular patterning through self-awareness and repetition. The program's philosophy rests on the rock solid belief in our ability to change and evolve as we age.