Some of the people who attend my yoga class tell me that their yoga session seems cathartic. After their yoga session they feel lighter, happier, more energetic, and generally in a better frame of mind. Some find that yoga makes them emotional – guides them to a state of heightened emotions. So, what is the connection between yoga and our emotions? Why does a good yoga session elevate our mood and give us that feeling of general wellbeing?
The process of performing yoga
The body activates itself, stretches itself, and moves in a specific manner while doing yoga. The brain concentrates on the precise movement of the limbs and the process of deliberate breathing during yoga. This is a time when we look within to become sharply aware and mindful of what we are doing. The level of concentration should be such that all extraneous thoughts and niggling worries fall away. There is a sharpening of mental focus and a concentration of physical energies in the ‘here and now’. We can feel our senses becoming keener and better attuned.
This inward focus also helps us recognize the emotions we experience – the roots of the anger, worry, fear and other negative feelings we have. There are specific aspects of the practice of yoga that help:
- Pratyahara or inward focus helps us uncover a deeper awareness of our surroundings, people, and how these impact us. The practice of yoga is said to release the ‘Karmic Knots’ that tension and stress cause within the body.
- Pranayama or the specific breathing exercises that we do enables the flow of positive energy through the body and proper oxygenation of the whole body. Kriyas such as Kapalbhati helps us literally expel negative emotions such as frustration or anger. Sounds that we make while doing yoga and pranayama further help expel negative energy from the body.
- Aasans orthe specific poses of yoga help release stored tension in muscles and physically banishes stress from the body. The body feels more limber and many of the aches and pains are eased. Doing an aasan correctly and holding the position gives that sense of achievement; enhancing positivity.
Yoga has certain biological impacts
Researchers have found that yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system – this helps in lowering blood pressure, regularizes the heartbeat, and improves breath control. Levels of stress hormones drop and the levels of feel-good chemicals increase in the circulatory system.
To make yoga particularly effective for mental and emotional wellbeing, experts recommend its regular practice. This is a daily dose that is most beneficial for the body and mind. Rather than doing the same exercises each day, there ought to be a wide variation in one’s yoga practice. Experts recommend that if one is feeling anxious, they should start with some of the more active yoga aasans. If one is feeling low in energy and low-spirited, they should begin with gentle poses and build up the momentum to elevate the mood and energy levels.
Hence the link between yoga and our emotions is clearly defined. After all, yoga is often used as part of holistic treatment for mood disorders, which is evidence enough of this connection.