The Profound Connection Between Emotions and the Body
Our emotions deeply influence our physical bodies. We often notice this in moments of stress, where we start to hold or tense our muscles. Over time, these holding patterns create chronic tension, causing the body to lose its fluidity and become more rigid and stagnant.
For much of my life, I lived in a state of disconnection — disembodied and unaware of my physical and emotional self. This detachment led to a sense of stagnation within me.
At the end of last year, I entered a “grief portal” that ultimately pulled me back into my body. I felt disoriented, numb, and disconnected from reality. In the span of a few months, I experienced the loss of two loved ones, the end of a romantic relationship, and a deep platonic friendship. Everything around me seemed to collapse. I felt unsafe, emotionally unregulated, and out of touch with my body.
Reflecting on my time in massage therapy training, I was reminded of how unprocessed emotions get trapped within the body and eventually manifest as tension, pain, discomfort, and even illness. I knew I didn’t want that for myself. With this insight, I committed to caring for my mental and physical health, and I found a powerful ally in yoga.
Movement as Medicine
I initially joined a yoga membership to stay active and connect with a supportive community, but it quickly evolved into something much deeper. Yoga became a mental practice as much as a physical one. I learned that the body’s flexibility reflects the flexibility of the mind. By pushing myself through physical discomfort, I expanded my capacity to sit with mental discomfort. The mantra, “This too shall pass,” became my anchor, especially during hot yoga classes in 110-degree heat, where I practiced sitting with challenging emotions like grief, anger, and frustration.
I committed to showing up for this practice three times a week, making no excuses. My focus wasn’t on how my body looked but on honoring the commitment I made to myself. Unintentionally, I was building trust and reestablishing my connection with my body.
Instead of letting grief consume me, I found an outlet in movement. My yoga practice expanded into dance, then into aerial work, and continues to evolve today. Movement became my release, a way to free myself from the emotions and energies that had been weighing me down.
The Transformative Power of Dedication
Grief transformed my body as I let go of emotions that no longer served me. My journey wasn’t about weight loss but about showing up for my own well-being. Through this dedication, I discovered deeper intimacy with myself and a profound sense of self-love.
In times of loss and devastation, choose to commit to yourself. Find a practice that grounds you, and show up, even when everything feels heavy. You deserve that connection with yourself.
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