Unblock Creativity with Embodied Yoga

Embodied Yoga helped me to unblock creativity and release emotions.

Photo by Jenna Anderson on Unsplash

What is embodied yoga?

Essentially, embodied yoga is dropping down into the body and moving intuitively.  The body has its own intelligence on how to move and what it needs.  A practice might look like starting with a familiar yoga pose and then allowing natural movements to guide the energies inside of you.  Emotions are energy and can be released through movements, breath work or your own voice.  The release comes from allowing the emotions to process through and let go of fear to feel.  Suppressed emotions create tension in the body and eventually the body will release them.  The scary part is that we don’t know what will trigger that kind of release.  It can leave us confused and wondering, what just happened.

Regulate the nervous system.

Longing for comfort

Need of grounding

Release anxiety

Energize with breath. 

How is it integrated into a home practice?

A simple introduction to this concept is to start with Cat Cow pose.  In the position, start to find movements that feel good to you.  Examples are to look over each shoulder, hip circles, drop the head with gentle head movements or alternate bending your elbows.

To release emotions that create a high charge, sit in easy seat and use arm motions to punch, shake or push away.  Movement is medicine and emotions can be released with movement.  

Make movements found in nature such as waves of the ocean or wind swaying the trees.  We are feeling and expressing in order to heal.

Once the movement is intuitive then it is possible to get out of the thinking brain of what to do next.  Free flow without structure as your body moves however it feels at the moment.  Once the thinking brain is offline then the nervous system calms down.  The body and mind become regulated as one.  I have noticed after this type session that I am less reactive.  It is noticeable that I have slowed in thinking or doing and have come into being present.

Nature as the guide

Birth

Growth

Change 

Decay

Rebirth into the cycle

Inhale to grow

Exhale to blossom

Inhale to energize

Exhale to relax

Breath in to receive

Breath out to release

Nature as all knowing.

My direct experience.

A couple years ago, I took an online writing course with Kripalu featuring several instructors.  One class in particular with Erica Jago was enlightening to me. She had us journal on what we wanted to manifest. Next she played music for about 20-30 minutes and asked everyone to dance freeform. The music was lively and to help release any inhibitions cameras could be off. We danced freely and in community together. I went into the class with my chronic hip pain which was nothing significant, just a nagging ache. After the dance session, there was no more ache in my hip as if something was loosen and back to normal. I think this happened from moving intuitively and without structure. The next part of class was to journal whatever was coming to mind. I remember being surprised at the creativity that was flowing onto the paper. I knew at that point there were blocks released in my body that allowed me to have a creative flow.

This was my first experience to note of an embodied session. Since then I have had similar experiences walking in nature and swimming. Once I was coached on embodied yoga in particular then I understood the concept of the mind and body connection and relating it to my past experiences.

Takeaways

Movement is free therapy and processing emotions is a daily activity for humans.  Using the tools of yoga can help.  The point is to drop the script and listen to your body.  There are so many ways to move and heal with Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi, dance, swimming, running and so much more.  Find your style of movement that allows you to get out of the thinking or spinning brain and into your body to find your magic.

Disclaimer:  Please consult with your medical professional before starting any workout program.  Yoga is not a substitute for medical attention or treatment.

My studies are currently with Brett Larkin’s Uplifted Yoga on Embodied Yoga and Life Coaching. Uplifted Yoga is my learning platform not only for yoga poses but also how to live yoga off the mat.