Stomach Exercise to Release Stuck Emotions | SHUNYA | Kundalini Yoga and Meditation

Let go of tension in your body and, in turn, release stuck emotions.
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When I feel anxious (a common occurrence for me), one of the first things I do is take a deep breath. Sometimes, this simple act can make me feel better, or at least point my mood in the right direction. Here's why:

When we're stressed, we ignite our sympathetic, or fight or flight, nervous system. Our bodies respond to this duress as if we're in real danger, and we typically hold our breath or start what's called “effortful breathing.” Our breathing muscles contract, and we experience higher levels of muscle tension throughout our bodies.

So, the natural antidote to this malady is relaxation of our breathing muscles. This is especially helpful for me when I feel stress and tension in my body, but can't necessarily pinpoint what's bothering me.

There are great benefits to identifying and working through emotions, but sometimes journaling or talking it out just doesn't cut it for me. Thankfully, there are many exercises that can help release the physical aspect of anxiety, or what I like to call emotions that get stuck in our bodies. Many involve the diaphragm, the primary muscle that helps us breathe.

When we bring our awareness to the diaphragm and practice releasing tension in that area, we have the power to ignite the parasympathetic, or the restful and restorative, nervous system and reduce our own stress levels.

Don't take it from me. Try this diaphragmatic exercise and see how you feel.

Pumping the diaphragm allows the muscle to relax. It can create more freedom in our breathing because it reminds us to relax our abdomen and diaphragm, and it ultimately helps us better pump oxygen to our brains and throughout our bodies.

In order to practice:

Find a comfortable seat with your spine straight
If you're in a chair, make sure both feet are flat on the floor
Inhale through your nose
Hold your breathe in and pump the diaphragm area in and out by repeatedly pulling the upper abdominals in, toward the spine, and releasing
Stop the motion and exhale
Inhale deeply and repeat

Continue for 1-3 minutes or keep it up for as long as you would like.

This exercise brings awareness to your most important breathing muscle, creates more freedom in your breathing when you learn to relax the diaphragm, and gives you the power to shift your emotional state on command.

I hope this serves you and helps you relax and release any stress or tension you struggle to let go.

Sat Nam ♥ Ashlee