National Relaxation Day: Yogic Release

Yogic Release

My definition: the release of toxins, negativity, and unpleasantries from the system during a yoga session

Flashback to about two years ago when I began doing yoga. I was in an emotionally raw place, peeling back the layers of my soul to uncover the real true me. Yoga was therapeutic and usually I felt amazing after but there were times that my classes weren’t so great. They were horrible actually. I would shake during the classes and feel on the verge of passing out. Sweaty. Shaky. Unstable. At times I would have to leave the room because it was so intense. And I would feel so embarrassed​. 

“What is wrong with me….”
“I am at an ‘easy does it’ yoga class – how could I possibly be so out of shape that I can’t even do easy yoga”

What is a Yogic Release

I had never been told about energetic cleansing. So, of course, my immediate reaction to my physical response in the yoga class was to believe I was weak or something was wrong with me. This was FAR from the truth. 

I was healing. My energy was being cleansed.

All of the shit that builds up in our system becomes a block to our bodies energetic flow. When we partake in activities such as yoga, the body begins to move in naturally cleansing ways. The release is forcing out the garbage so the energy can flow through without being blocks – like a river breaking through a dam so it can flow freely. 

Breaking Down the Dam

This process is cleansing and purifying – so take some steps to honor it: 

1. Honor the process.
It’s totally ok if you feel weak, shaky, or otherwise uncomfortable. (NOTE: if you feel extremely ill this may be a sign that you need to see the doctor). Take a moment to appreciate your bodies cleansing process and honor the purging of the blocks.

2. Sit with the feelings.
Don’t do what I did and beat yourself up over what is happening. Feel into the feelings and sit down if necessary. If you feel shaky and unstable, don’t do the poses. Just sit in happy baby, child’s pose, or another comfortable position and allow yourself to just be. 

3. Don’t let this stop you from your practice.
I stopped going to yoga for weeks at a time because I didn’t understand what was happening. Check-in with your body and see what it’s telling you. Could you go to an easier yoga class or possibly a shorter one? Or maybe you can do 10 minutes of yoga at home? Keep the momentum of the progress by continuing​ your practice in a way that heals your body and mind.

It's National Relaxation Day!

What is one way you can honor your body today? Maybe it’s just sitting on your yoga mat, mindful and in silence, for 10 minutes. Or maybe it’s a full 90-minute yoga class at the hot yoga studio! Don’t forget to celebrate your mindfulness with a glass of champagne​!