The emotional body is a crucial aspect of human health, often overlooked in the hype of physical fitness. Our emotions drive our conscious and unconscious actions, solidifying our belief system and worldview. When life experiences remain unprocessed, they are stored within the body and are expressed as physical symptoms. One must prioritize emotional healing for holistic wellness- what the Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh aims for.
Emotional Body
Emotions aren’t just psychological experiences felt as a response to external stimuli. Research now shows the impact of mind-body connections on the overall well-being of a person. Every emotion has a physiological effect; for example, grief is felt as tightness in the chest, anxiety can trigger digestive problems, etc.
When an emotion is repressed and unprocessed, it is stored in the body as chronic pain, stiffness, and inflammation. If unresolved, this can worsen into terminal illnesses like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc.
Emotions are trapped within the fascia, a big network of connective tissue surrounding every body part to give support. Stiffness and tension experienced here can have a physical root, such as a sedentary lifestyle or injury. However, it can also be an expression of imbalanced emotions that have been trapped in the system. Our body is an excellent indication of our emotional state- our posture, expressions, and range of motion of different body parts- communicate what is happening in the unconscious.
Including mindfulness practices into your routine, such as breathwork and meditation, that you learn in the Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh, can help release these heavy emotions. Physical movements, especially low-intensity exercises such as somatic workouts, Yin Yoga, and restorative postures, can work on the fascial tissue, increasing flexibility and emotional health.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a slow-paced form of yoga where a posture is held for at least three to five minutes. It is based on the philosophy of Taoism and the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), viewing the body as an entire ecosystem where every functionality depends on the other. Yin Yoga gently stresses the connective tissue- joints, ligaments, tendons, fascia- improving joint health and increasing flexibility. It also stresses and stimulates the various Organs and Meridian Lines, which are vital for the proper functioning of the body. By working on both the gross and subtle aspects, Yin Yoga is an all-inclusive practice that heals from within.
According to Yin Yoga and TCM’s philosophy, the Organ systems and Meridian Lines are of the utmost importance for the free flow of the vital life force energy known as chi. Each Organ has its chi flow, and the channels it travels are known as the Meridian lines. It is believed that blockages or imbalances in the chi flow cause various psychosomatic complications. By stimulating these channels through compression or elongation, we can ensure smooth chi flow and regulate emotional polarity.
Yin poses stimulate all the meridians as we gently hold and stress the tissues, easing our way deep into a posture. By being still, we create the opportunity to meet our inner worlds, listen to the internal dialogue and realise the unconscious emotions surfacing when we hold space for them. A slow, deep breathing pattern lets the resistance in the muscles and the mind fall away, opening one up to the possibilities of a new perspective as the heaviness dissipates.
Organ Systems and Meridians
In TCM, there are 12 major Organs and their respective meridians. We explore them in depth in the Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh. Each of them has their own archetypes and emotional associations. By becoming aware of these intricacies, we learn to use the body’s wisdom and connect deeply with the energy systems within us.
- Liver and Gallbladder: These organs dictate our decision-making abilities, as well as being firm and rooted in our beliefs and showing courage in the face of adversity. When chi flows smoothly within these organs and in their meridians, one is full of kindness and compassion towards the self and the world at large. When imbalanced or deficient, we can hold onto grudges and become angry at ourselves and others. This anger might be expressed as bouts of uncontrolled rage or can be suppressed without an outlet.
Asanas like the Frog, Saddle, Square can stimulate the liver meridian and Butterfly, Swan, Bananasana can work on the gallbladder meridian.
- Spleen and Stomach: The feelings of safety and groundedness come from these Organs. Our ability to be creative and playful expands when these Organ systems are healthy. We can let our inner child come out as we feel safe within our bodies. However, when out of control, we experience an impending sense of worry, anxiety, and restlessness. We feel unsafe, operating in survival mode where the ego takes over the driver’s seat.
Asanas like the Camel pose, Snail for the Spleen and Anahatasana, Shoelace, Cat pulling its tail for the Stomach can balance the chi flow.
- Kidney and Urinary Bladder: These lines rule the emotions of wisdom and fear. A sign of smooth functioning in these organs is marked by a person’s maturity and understanding of the constancy of change. When we are wise to know life’s workings, when we can accept change, such as ageing, it shows that the chi flow is good. But if there’s a chronic fear towards various situations when dealing with change becomes paralysing, these meridian lines must be stimulated.
Practising postures such as Child’s pose, Sphinx for the Kidneys and Straddle, Dragons, Reclining Twists for the Urinary Bladder line will be highly beneficial.
- Lungs and Large Intestines: Beauty and Grief are regulated by the Lungs and the Large Intestines. When balanced, we can see the goodness in the world. We appreciate beauty in all the little things, making the mundane magical. When imbalanced, there is a profound sense of grief and loss that makes it very difficult to navigate through life. We are consumed by lack, constantly being overcome with sadness.
Sitting Swan, Anahatasan, Frog, Twisted Dragonfly are some asanas to include in your routine.
- Heart and Small Intestines: This Organ pair is associated with love and, on the flip side, arrogance. Realising human beings’ innate nature to love unconditionally is only possible when the Heart chi is open and flowing. Compassion and joy accompany love, making life colourful. Conversely, rebellious chi in these meridians fills one up with arrogance and superiority. A lack of empathy and understanding takes over; a person becomes discriminatory and intolerant. It becomes crucial that we balance this chi.
Asanas like Puppy Pose, Cow Face Arms, Child’s pose, Caterpillar, Twisted Dragon can help restore balance.
Tapping into the emotional body takes a lot of patience. It is a courageous step that needs discipline balanced with compassion. Only when our emotions are healed will our internal world be rich, reflected in our external reality. Let’s prioritise holistic wellness instead of only focusing on physical fitness. Join our Yin Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh with Vinyasa Yoga Ashram to learn this subject in detail.
