Releasing Stuck Emotions

To begin with, it is often said that emotions are really energy-in-motion. This has always stuck with me. Through much self-observation throughout the years, it looks to be true in my perspective. I’ve realized how vital releasing stuck emotions is for my overall health and well-being, especially mentally/emotionally! Emotions, at times, feel like a wave, it comes on strong and can knock you over if you’re not ready for it. They seem to be a guiding force in our lives, often created by our thoughts. See, we have a thought about our external world, whatever it may be, and then an emotion arises in reaction to that thought.

On the other hand, sometimes you may pick up on an emotion from your environment. I am empathic, like many are, so I can absorb emotions from the external world; so exhausting! In any case, our emotions are always there, whether we bury them deep down within us or not. They are present and influence our subconscious mind whether we are aware of it or not.

What’s more, these emotions usually don’t get released from us. Think of how often you feel an emotion, and immediately shove it down or repress it, or outright ignore it. Accordingly, when we do this, the emotion (energy-in-motion) gets stuck and can’t move or go anywhere. This piles up day after day, year after year! If we incorporate energy-releasing methods into our daily lives, we will help our overall well-being, and subconscious, out in a big way!

I have had my own long and painful battle with my mental health for much of my life. From my experience with it, I know how much self-expression, or a lack of, plays a role. I seriously struggled to express what I was feeling and barely let my emotions out when I needed to. See, sometimes people are so ashamed of what they feel or just can’t even find the words to describe how they are feeling. Looking back now, I know how much it would have helped if I had a way to express myself on a day-to-day basis. From my experience and research, it is best to have multiple forms of expression. Especially, using your body as a form of expression, as our body houses our emotions and traumas.

Nowadays, I do my best to include energy-releasing methods into my daily routine. Most common for me are: singing, dancing, intuitive movement and sound, as well as journaling! These ones are my favorites! When I do the intuitive movement and sound, I’m home alone and close all my windows and blinds. I’ll turn up the music I’m drawn to and just let my body go. What comes out is always a surprise., hence why I give myself privacy. Afterwards, I always feel lighter!

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There are a variety of ways to let our emotions flow and release out of us. Genreally, that starts with our physical body being the first step. Our emotions and traumas get trapped and stored in the body. I know this firsthand. It is important to find and release these emotions. You can do body scan meditations yourself to pinpoint where in your body these emotions are lingering. Slowly observe each part of your body, notice what physical sensations you feel, such as tightness, pressure, tingling, heaviness ect. Once you feel sensations in an area of your body, you can bet there’s some emotions hanging out in there 😉

A few years back I did several sessions of Emotional Release Bodywork, or Amanae, with a wonderful woman in Asheville, North Carolina. It involves me bringing breath and awareness to parts of the body where stuck emotions are held. At the same time, the practitioner physically pushes and manipulates parts of your body. Unfortunately, it can be physically painful! However, the further you journey, you feel as though ‘doors’ are opening and there’s an understanding you have to fully let them open.

Amanae states, “The technique is based on the activation and opening points or ‘doorways’ throughout the body. These doorways are access points for the body’s deep wisdom. Amanae works with the idea that the body always remembers even if the mind doesn’t. Muscles, bones, skin, and cells carry unexpressed sadness, love, fear, grief, anger, shame, guilt, joy, and a lot more.”

Indeed, sh*t comes rushing out, ha ha. Memories, moans, groans, screaming, shaking, wailing, twitching, crying, and everything in-between comes out. It looks crazy and messy as h*ll, similar to an exorcism! Although, the relief you feel after is incredible, and so worth it! At one point, she was pressing hard onto an area of my upper back. I then felt myself revert back to a when I was a baby. I felt terrified, I was screaming and crying at the top of my lungs. My whole essence felt as though I was that little inner baby; weak, helpless and small. It tripped me right out! However, I just allowed it to happen. And the more I surrendered, the more emotions came out. The more emotions I let flow, the more relief I feel in the end. I had some wild experiences during my multiple sessions with her, let me tell you!

Intuitively, I felt when the pain of that time in my life, fully released. Afterwards, I just lay there, extremely fragile and sensitive, but relieved! This work is just one example of a powerful way to let emotions out. Certainly, it’s not for everyone, this is hardcore for sure!

Below, I compiled a list with ideas for you to try yourself. There is so much more out there though, so do some research as well 🙂 Keep in mind that using our body as one form of self-expression, in whatever way resonates with you, will really release those emotions! So the formula of: one body self- expression + one other form of self-expression – may be the most helpful.

• Emotional Release Bodywork (Amanae)- For the hardcores out there 😉 Powerful stuff!
• Singing
• Dancing- Bop along to some tunes!
• Journaling- Let out what is bouncing around that head of yours!
• Intuitive Movement & Sounds- The intuitive movement is also known as ecstatic dancing. Moving and making sounds intuitively isn’t pretty ha ha. It’s about allowing your innate intelligence guide you however it needs to. The sounds and movements will be strange but allowing it will release stuck energy and emotions!
• Myofascial Release – Similar to emotional release bodywork. I have not personally tried this but want to one day! They say it’s an effective way to release emotions by releasing the soft tissue with deep touch. Thereby releasing the ‘armor’ that is repressing the feelings!
• Shadow Work- Check out my post about it here.
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT Tapping)- This is a form of “energy/psychology” using acupressure treatment to release trauma stored in our body’s energy field. Helping to heal from emotional and physical pain. This one is on my list to try too!
• Create something- Express yourself through creating art in some form. Drawing, painting, sculpting, wood-working, writing, make music, whatever form tickles your fancy!
• The Emotion Code by Dr. Bradley Nelson- Is designed to release trapped emotions and the heart-wall, and overall emotional baggage.
• Qi-gong and Tai Chi!
• Meditation

Ultimately, releasing stuck emotions makes room for so much more. When those energies are out of our energy fields, we are much more spacious. In other words, not so clogged up and weighed down. There is now room for more of the positive emotions in life; joy, peace, happiness and fun! I know that sounds cheesy but it’s true. Until we start moving out the ‘junk’, so to speak, we don’t realize how much space those other emotions took up in us. You feel the weight lifted off of you, and from within you. It’s much quieter and lighter, trust me 😉

Sources:

https://www.amanaetherapy.com/

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