Unlocking Emotional Release: 3 Poses to Help You Process and Heal

Stress and anxiety are often tied to unprocessed emotions that get trapped in the body. Yoga can be a gentle yet powerful tool for unlocking this emotional tension and facilitating a sense of release and healing. These three poses create a safe space for you to turn inward and process what you’re feeling.
Begin by creating a safe container in Balasana (Child’s Pose). This posture, which mimics the fetal position, evokes feelings of safety and security. In this protected space, you can allow difficult emotions to surface without feeling overwhelmed. The gentle pressure on the third eye (the space between the eyebrows) is also thought to be calming and soothing to the mind.
Next, shift your emotional energy with Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall). Sometimes emotions can feel stagnant or heavy. This gentle inversion helps to shift your body’s energy and perspective. As you lie in this relaxed state, you may find that the intensity of certain emotions lessens, and you are able to observe them with a greater sense of detachment and calm.
Finally, find release through surrender in Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend). Forward bends are associated with letting go. As you fold over your legs, you can visualize yourself releasing any emotional baggage you’ve been carrying in your back, shoulders, and hips. The deep, steady breathing in this pose helps to move emotional energy through and out of the body, leaving you feeling lighter and more at peace.