Emotional Releases in Yoga

As of recently I've become aware that I am not the only one who has experience some kind of emotional release in a yoga class, whew! Emotional releases (crying, laughter, or simply the feeling of something shifting) is natural and can be scary at times.and wonderful at other times This is what makes yoga so phenomenal in my book, because it works much deeper than any form of physical exercise I have found.

I will tell you my story of my first emotional release: many moons ago I was taking a Chakra Yoga workshop with my teacher, where we were doing postures, breathing, and chanting to clear each of the chakras (energy centers that connect the energetic and physical bodies...more about chakras in another post). We just barely got started in 1st chakra and I was bawling, I mean bawling so hard I didn't hear her say to change poses. Luckily I was in a safe and loving environment so it was ok that i was crying, snot and all, and I left with a sense of knowing I was starting a deep healing process and a feeling of "everything is going to be ok". Having private sessions with my teacher soon after that really helped me move deeper into my process.

Bottom line: if you have an emotional release in class, its ok, it happens (not to everyone) and its a good thing (a sign your releasing/letting go of something that doesn't serve you any more). Secondly be kind and gentle with yourself. If what you need to do for yourself is rest, then rest, if what you need to do is go take a walk, go take a walk. I have had students walk out before, I have had students cry before, for me it is no big deal. What's important is that you take care of yourself--what ever that is.

So, if you have an emotional release in class, talk to your teacher, or contact me. If it brought up issues of past traumas, it might be best to seek support of a therapist who supports your yoga practice, because the two together can be quite healing.

Take care of yourself and be loving to yourself!

Namaste

Brandi