Did you know that the Latin derivative for the word emotion, ’emotere’, literally means energy in motion? It’s true! Emotions are energy, and what we think of as emotion is the experience of energy in various frequencies moving through the body. It is the feeling sensation and physiological reaction that makes a specific emotion positive or negative.
Lower frequency emotions are generally felt as contraction of energy—such as tension—and higher frequency emotions are generally felt as expansion of energy—such as inner peace and calm. The sensations you feel in your body hold the key to unlocking limiting patterns, transforming stress, and cultivating a lasting sense of happiness.
When you push away your emotions as a way of protecting yourself from overwhelming sensations, the result is a buildup of energy that gets suppressed in the body and disconnects you from your internal experience. When you learn how to be present with the layers of ache, sorrow, joy, courage, and peace—you invite them to release through mindful awareness. You cannot pick and choose what emotions you want to feel, but you can choose what to do with them. You must be willing to experience the full range of human emotions if you are to live fully. So where do you start?
TRY THIS PRACTICE!
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and bring your attention to your natural breathing pattern, following the breath in and out of your body. Start to take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, letting all the hard places yield to softness with each exhalation. Continue breathing this way for several breaths, noticing the gentle rise and fall or your body with each breath.
Now bring your attention to the sensations of the emotional body. Imagine there is a door just above your heart. It can be any shape and any color, it can be simple or ornate, perhaps there is a key or perhaps the door is always unlocked. Open the door and greet each of your emotions. Open your heart to who you are, right now, not who you would like to be. Let yourself feel exactly how you are feeling. Tune in, notice, and observe whatever walks in the door with an open mind. Experience the rawness of being truly alive, as you let go of parts of yourself you didn’t even know were holding on. Welcome the internal sigh of relief that comes over your entire body and mind.
When you are ready to come back to the physical body, take three deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Run your thumb along your fingertips. Feel the connection of your body against the strong ground. Allow any remaining tension to drain away down into the earth. Then gently blink your eyes open.
I invite you to return to this practice whenever you have emotions to sit with, whether you might perceive those emotions to be positive or negative. Try to embrace all the emotions you have at your disposal. Remember each emotion is a part of being human, and these feelings are what allow you to experience life at its fullest.
To see some of Rebelution Yoga’s favorite books addressing both gross and subtle anatomy, check out our “Shop & Apothocary” page at www.rebelutionyoga.com!
Love always, Heather Sky