The Emotional Language of Yoga
Yoga offers more than just physical benefits; it serves as a profound tool for emotional exploration and release. A lot of us yoga people learn that our practice makes depths of apparently irrational feelings come to the surface, feelings we barely knew were in there. At times, this causes those involved in our programs to leave the event literally sobbing — causing many who experience it inadvertently shock. But many, more advanced instructors will tell you that this departure phase is a natural part of the process.
As many a yoga teachers would suggest our bodies are the warehouse of emotions. We pick up all sorts of experiences over the years — happy moments, times when our hearts are filled with such deep sorrow we can hardly breathe and everything in between. The physical movements that we practice in yoga and the breath work strengthen muscles, but even more so they create pathways for these repressed emotions to process by resurfacing. The complexity of the body—mind relationship is well understood by yoga.
Since as we push into difficulty poses that also get us to break the stereotype of them bring emotional discomfort. The vulnerability that comes up in certain stances can act as a compeller to feel emotions long held below the surface. It helps us inhale and exhaling with every breath, every stretch asking for an intention to let go — it teaches you freedom.
As one allows tears to flow, it can be a purification process and offer relief and rejuvenation. There are those who call it walking off the mat lighter in spirit, feeling a deep sense of self-connectivity. His artistic catharsis leads people down a path of emotional healing but on top of that, facilitates self-discovery which can ultimately lead to better overall understanding.
Yoga meets us at our heart & soul making it the ultimate tool for a well rounded approach to self care. It keeps in our minds that its alright to feel and not be afraid of expressing ever part of us. With that said, remember — your mat is a place to try anything and everything in yoga; A space where you can unpack the multidimensional emotions we all hold inside whether it be smiling with pride when you nail that third chaturanga of mea culpa. Let your yoga change you, and maybe not in dramatic ways including feelings that lead to personal expansion as well as transformation.