It’s not uncommon for people to experience crying during yoga and meditation, and there are a few possible explanations for this phenomenon. In this article, we’ll cover five possible reasons why yoga makes you cry, and discuss how to embrace and make the most of this emotional response. Whether you’re a yoga beginner or an experienced practitioner, understanding why yoga can bring up emotion can help you get the most out of your practice.
Five possible reasons why yoga makes you cry
Reason no 1= Unresolved emotional Release issues
Many people have emotions that they never fully address, and as a result, they can affect you years or even decades later. If you’ve experienced something that has caused you to feel angry, sad, or fearful, but you didn’t process that emotion at the time, it can come back to you later in life in the form of “unfinished business.” Because yoga is a tool that can help you process emotions, it can bring up feelings that you’ve been avoiding.
This can happen at any stage in your life, but it’s particularly common in young people who are just beginning to practice yoga. Because it’s something new, you can tap into emotions that you’ve never thought about before, but that have been lodged in your subconscious for years.
Discover Your FREE Personalized Moon Reading NowReason no 2= Release of stress and tension
Another possible reason for crying during yoga is the simple to release of built-up tension. When you’re in a stress-reduction practice like yoga, you’re using many of your muscles in an unfamiliar way, but you’re also breathing deeply and slowly, which helps to reduce your physical stress.
If you’re holding tension in your muscles, it can become increasingly difficult to release it as the day goes on. When you’re in a downward dog or child’s pose, you use muscles that are often neglected during daily life, and you’re doing them in a new way. This can help your body to release built-up tension that’s been preventing you from feeling relaxed.
Reason no 3= Increased self-awareness
As you begin to slow down and be mindful during your yoga practice, you may become more aware of the emotions that you’ve been pushing away. If you’re a person who is used to being very busy and in “fight or flight mode,” yoga can help you calm down and be more in tune with your emotions.
Discover Your FREE Personalized Moon Reading NowThis may cause you to become more aware of emotions that have been buried beneath the surface for a long time. Although this can be uncomfortable, it’s also a very positive part of the healing process. Becoming more aware of your emotions can help you process them and let go of them.
Reason no 4= Deep connection to your practice
When you practice something regularly, you form a deep connection with it. This can happen with any skill that you practice, but it’s particularly common with a practice like yoga, which allows you to enter a meditative state.
When you’re deep in your practice, your mind is in a place of pure focus, and you’re not thinking about your everyday life. Yoga is a practice that involves your entire being, and this can help bring your emotions to the surface so that you can process them.
Discover Your FREE Personalized Moon Reading NowReason no 5= Moving meditation
Yoga is also known as meditation. Not only do you slow down your breath and mental process, but you also stretch your body, which can cause it to release muscle tension and become more relaxed.
When you combine these two activities, you can become very relaxed very quickly, which can bring up emotions that you haven’t felt in a long time.
3 Yoga Poses: Best for Beginners
Here are a few yoga poses that may be suitable for beginners:
Discover Your FREE Personalized Moon Reading Now- Mountain pose (Tadasana): This is a standing pose that helps to improve balance and build strength in the legs. To practice mountain pose, stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides. Lift your toes and spread them wide, then ground down through all four corners of your feet. Engage your thigh muscles and lift your kneecaps, then lift your chest and reach the crown of your head up towards the sky.
- Downward-facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): This is a classic yoga pose that stretches the entire body. To practice downward-facing dog, start on your hands and knees with your wrists under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Tuck your toes under and lift your hips up and back, straightening your legs as much as possible. Reach your heels towards the ground and let your head hang between your arms.
- Child’s pose (Balasana): This is a restful pose that helps to stretch the back and release tension. To practice, a child’s pose, start on your hands and knees with your wrists under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Lower your hips back towards your heels and stretch your arms out in front of you, resting your chest on your thighs.
Tips for embracing the healing power of yoga
There are a few ways that you can help to unlock the power of yoga for healing and make the most of these emotional responses.
- Make time for your practice: Yoga doesn’t have to be done at a specific time of day. However, finding a consistent time to practice can help you to build healthy habits. You may want to practice in the morning, in the evening, or during a lunch break.
- Stay consistent: You’re not going to become very flexible in one or two yoga classes. It takes consistent practice over a long period of time to see real results. The more consistent you are with your yoga, the more you’ll benefit from its mental and physical health benefits.
- Stay grounded: This is particularly important when you’re first beginning to practice yoga. It can be easy to get caught up in the ideas and emotions that are brought up during the process. Grounding yourself by bringing your attention to your feet and feeling the floor beneath you can help you stay in the present moment, which is where you can really benefit from yoga.
Conclusion
Yoga is an ancient practice that can help you clear your mind, relax your body and find more clarity about your life. It can be a great way to begin to process your emotions and make positive changes in your life. It’s important to understand why yoga makes you cry and how you can use this to your advantage. Having an awareness of why you may be experiencing these emotions can help you to process them and make the most of your yoga practice.
FAQs
Q: Why does yoga make me cry?
A: It is not uncommon for people to experience strong emotions during or after a yoga practice. Yoga can bring up long-held emotions and help to release them, which can sometimes lead to tears. This can be a sign that the practice is helping to release emotional blockages and promote healing. It is also possible that the relaxation and mindfulness practices that are often incorporate into yoga can help to bring up and process emotions that are store in the body.
Discover Your FREE Personalized Moon Reading NowQ: Is it normal to cry during or after a yoga practice?
A: It is completely normal to experience strong emotions during or after a yoga practice. Crying can be a natural response to the emotional release that can occur during a yoga practice, and it is a sign that the practice is helping to bring up and process emotions that may have been store in the body.
Q: Is it okay to cry during a yoga class?
A: It is completely okay to cry during a yoga class. In fact, many people find that the emotional release that can occur during a yoga practice can be cathartic and healing. It is important to allow yourself to experience and processes your emotions, and crying during a yoga class can be a natural and healthy way to do this.
Q: How can I handle the emotions that come up during yoga practice?
A: If you experience strong emotions during a yoga practice, it can be helpful to allow yourself to feel and process them. It may also be helpful to speak with a trusted friend, therapist, or yoga teacher about your experience.
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