The Healing Power of Emotions: Using Yoga Therapy as a Guide to the Divine Feminine
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain…Kahlil Gibran
I recently took a trip with friends to the desert. We spent two days talking, laughing, hiking, meditating, and luxuriating in the hot springs. With all distractions minimized—turning off cell phones, no T.V. etc.—we were forced to practice my favorite art—the art of welcoming. This was not a conscious effort on our part, rather the result of three women coming together—each filled with strong intention and committed to truth.
To me, emotions are truth. For many years, I suppressed certain “negative” emotions for fear I would not be accepted, would be considered a nuisance, or viewed as weak for simply having them! As far back as I remember, I was aware of an emotion rising, yearning to be felt fully, trusting that something beautiful was on the other end. Through the years, I learned emotions—particularly anger—were UNACCEPTABLE for women. Well I had a lot of anger and it made me feel less of a woman…
The more I explored trauma healing, women’s studies, spiritual practices, and myself as a divine feminine, the more I learned ALL emotions are an innate part of our being. I began to understand that all emotions—especially anger—served a vital role in our healthy functioning and survival. For example, when I was feeling angry, there was a need for safely that was unmet. In fully feeling my anger, I explored where the boundary had been violated and what needed to be restored.
“Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion.” – Buddha
Feeling our emotions connects us and positively impacts our mental health. When I sit in a room with others that openly feel their sadness, anger, joy etc., my ability to empathize and feel compassion expands exponentially.
As we feel embraced and supported by the touch and words of others, our body releases the love and healing hormone, oxytocin. Oxytocin reduces high blood pressure, lowers anxiety, and it causes the body to release less of the stress hormone, cortisol.
The path of honoring emotions as part of our instinctual selves and welcoming them as life giving, brings protection and healing throughout our lives.
Come join me in a 90 minute workshop exploring another aspect of Cultivating Inner Beauty: “ The Healing Power of Emotions: Using Yoga Therapy as a Guide to the Divine Feminine
You will learn the following:
- The negative effects of suppressing or repressing emotion
- How to use practice of Integrative Restoration (meditation and self-inquiry) to work with emotions at any moment
- How to use the eight limbs of yoga to befriend emotion and cultivate emotional intelligence
- Learn the gift of several emotions, the question/s to ask when they surface and practices to work with them
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”
― Helen Keller
“Never apologize for showing your feelings. When you do, you are apologizing for the truth.”
― José N. Harris, MI VIDA: A Story of Faith, Hope and Love
Date: March 8, 2014
Time: 1:30-3:00
Location: Yoga Well, 2333 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: $30, sign up with a friend $25
Please email sacredheal@gmail.com to register
In love and sisterhood,
Lara
