06/12/2016
https://www.facebook.com/thedeepmassagebook/posts/1019589454745571:0
GLUTEUS MAXIMUS
The region of the buttocks often shares an association with the stomach. Namely, many people just think, “It’s fat- ugh!”. As if that weren’t enough, nature has added injury to insult by placing a small hole between these fat packs, out of which more or less regularly we defecate. Between these two associations, most people would rather forget that they had these things. Ironically, however, other people’s butts are a whole different story – just walk down any city street and sooner or later perhaps your head will turn, be you man or woman, in the direction of some cute you-know-what. Now if we would reserve the least bit of goodwill which we willingly extend to other people’s to our own…for instance, consider where you would be without that little hole – in big trouble.
As far as fat goes, it’s misunderstood. One, we’ve got to have fat somewhere a) to sit down with a modicum of comfort; b) storage for those long treks across the tundra! Seriously, think of a horse. Most horses have big butts, true, but not much fat. Why big? Because, picture a galloping horse, with those muscles they get most of their tremendous forward thrust. Therefore, this area is usually much more muscle than fat. We misunderstand it because we are not aware of what it does, perhaps because we don’t use it so much as when we had to run to survive. The gluteus maximus is one of the strongest muscles in the body, one of the main sources of physical power. From its origin along the crest and rear upper surface of the pelvis, it can extent the whole leg backwards, rotate it laterally, abduct or adduct it, depending on the emphasis of its lower or upper fibers.
When we disown the forceful nature of the gluteus maximus, we simply unplug our awareness from the main power source of the pelvis and hips. In appreciating it, we gain not only a more accurate sense of function but also of structure. For the leg is experienced as markedly longer when people feel it extending all the way up to the top of the pelvis (really it goes, via the psoas, up to the 12th thoracic vertebra!) and all the way down to the end of iliotibial band, into which it ultimately inserts. Oftentimes, before or during deep work on the gluteals, I’ll use body mobilization and some movement education to enhance just this sense of the pelvis being a fully integrated part of the long and strong lower limb system beginning at T12.
When working with the gluteals remember that they are for many people not a felt source of power, but rather of shame. Therefore, I usually first work briefly and gently with the intention of giving this area respect and love for its power, its beauty, its eliminative, and even, yes its important fat storage functions. However, I am very careful to use the quality of my touch and words, if necessary, to convey unmistakably the non-sexual intent of working here. Following this intro, I palpate for adhesions, congestions by the origin (especially just below the iliac crest), tension in the belly and insertions (especially along the gluteal tuberosity and iliotibial band). Make sure your client can relax into the work, breathing fully and easily, feeling the inhale and exhale all the way down to the pelvic floor if possible.
In conclusion, remember, if you will keep the gluteus maximus in mind, the FORCE will be with you!
