Releasing physical and emotional tension Stretching the hip muscles causes a release; pent-up emotions may resurface, suppressed memories may arise, unconscious tension still held onto from a traumatic event may bubble up. All of which may unleash a seemingly inexplicable barrage of tears.
The hips are an important storage vessel of emotional stress because of the psoas' link to the adrenal glands and the location of the sacral chakra.
In addition to the benefits of improved range of motion and circulation and decreased back pain, opening the hips can create an energetic shift or release as well. Yogic tradition holds the hips as a storage ground for negative feelings and pent-up emotions, especially ones related to control in our lives.
People with trauma, stress or mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression often suffer physical symptoms as well. In all of this, there may be one common link: the hips. Neuroscience indicates that the hips are a potential storage vessel for emotions.
Stretching the hip muscles causes a release; pent-up emotions may resurface, suppressed memories may arise, unconscious tension still held onto from a traumatic event may bubble up. All of which may unleash a seemingly inexplicable barrage of tears.
Emotional information is stored through “packages” in our organs, tissues, skin, and muscles. These “packages” allow the emotional information to stay in our body parts until we can “release” it. Negative emotions in particular have a long-lasting effect on the body.
Why do hip openers release emotions? Hip-opening poses activate Svadhisthana, the second or sacral chakra, located within the pelvis along the spine. This chakra energy center is about self-expression and creativity, and is located near the bladder, womb and ovaries. It is the source of sexual energy and passion.
What do tight hips mean spiritually? Tight hips, psoas, and hip flexors can mean that we're hesitant about facing the future. More specifically, we fear living up to our own expectations and those laid out by others.
Louise Hay suggests that hip problems represent fear of going forward with major decisions. Hips represent the idea that the next step in your life is important. Pain or discomfort advises you to slow down or stop, look around, buy a map, or ask someone for directions.
If you think of your pelvis as the center point for your body to work off of when trying to get away from trauma, and your body's response to trauma includes making your muscles tense, it makes sense that your hips tend to store a lot of tension."
Some may have a fight-or-flight type of response, which may include muscle tension, heart pounding and sweating because their body "believes it needs to activate," she explains. Others maybe experience a freeze response, which can look like someone who struggles to move or get out of bed.
The hips can take a beating during childbirth and as a result, afterwards, they tighten up. If something traumatic happens to you to cause tight hips, you may also be storing that negative energy in your hips.
That means if someone has a memory of their trauma or the memory is triggered, that might spark physical pain or discomfort in places like (you guessed it) the hips or whatever body part might be associated with that trauma.
Pigeon pose is the hip-opener most commonly known to make people cry. This intense pose can be a bit uncomfortable at first, but it's key to distinguish between hip tightness and actual pain -- be sure to listen to natural cues from your body.
Buttocks = Anger and Rage
Anger and suppressed rage are often stored in the buttocks.
Hip openers move prana (life force) through the pelvis, which is said to hold negative emotions and stress, such as guilt, fear and sadness. Opening the hips can create space for the birth of new ideas, and opens us physically, spiritually, and creatively.
An overactive Sacral Chakra means distributing too much energy throughout the body. Since Sacral Chakra governs emotions, overactive energy creates an overwhelming feeling. Experiencing emotions more deeply and extreme mood swings indicate a hypersensitive nature.
Lower Back: Anger
If you sit on frustration, the lower back is a common place for storing repressed anger. For relief, learn to constructively articulate frustration and address conflicts with others in the moment.
Guilt, Fishkin says, is associated with activity in the prefrontal cortex, the logical-thinking part of the brain. Guilt can also trigger activity in the limbic system. (That's why it can feel so anxiety-provoking.)
As tension releases from your spine, it is common for some people to have an emotional discharge. Emotions may naturally gush forth, freeing you from their weight and control. Laughter and tears are common in people of all ages, as subluxations patterns are eliminated.
The Movement of Yoga Makes You Cry and Invites Feeling
These movements make you stronger, more flexible, and resilient. They also have the added benefit of releasing tension and emotion. And with that release often come tears, though not always. For some people, letting go might look like laughter or anger.