RELEASE TO HEAL Yoga for Trapped Emotions in the Hips
Release to Heal: Yoga for Trapped Emotions in the Hips and the Psoas Connection Have you ever found yourself on your mat, deep in a hip opener, and suddenly felt a wave of unexpected emotion—sadness, anger, even tears? You're not alone. Our hips are more than just a joint; they’re a powerful storage center for unprocessed emotions and tension. Through yoga, we can begin to release not just physical tightness, but the emotional weight we carry deep within. The Hips: Your Body's Emotional Storage Unit In yoga and somatic healing traditions, the hips are often referred to as a “junk drawer” for emotions. When we experience stress, trauma, or emotional overwhelm, the body’s natural response is to contract. Over time, without intentional release, these contractions settle into our tissues—particularly around the pelvic region. One of the key players here is the psoas muscle (pronounced so-as). This deep core muscle connects the lower spine to the femur, running right through the hips. It’s not just a stabilizer for movement—it’s intimately connected to the autonomic nervous system and our fight-or-flight response. The Psoas and the Nervous System When the body senses danger, whether physical or emotional, the psoas contracts as part of a primal protective response. Chronic stress keeps the psoas shortened and tense, which not only contributes to back and hip pain but also signals to the brain that the body is still under threat—creating a loop of tension, both physical and emotional. Tightness in the psoas can compress nerves, reduce circulation, and trap emotional energy. Many yogis find that as they begin to work into the hips and psoas area, long-buried feelings surface. This is healing in motion. Yoga Poses for Emotional Release in the Hips To support emotional and nervous system healing, incorporate these poses mindfully into your practice:
1. Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) Opens the outer hips and glutes. Hold for 1–3 minutes per side and breathe deeply.
2. Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana) Gently stretches the hip flexors and psoas. Keep the pelvis heavy and chest lifted.
3. Reclined Bound Angle (Supta Baddha Konasana) Allows passive hip opening while calming the nervous system. Use props for support.
4. Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) Opens the front body and relieves psoas tension with gentle inversion.
5. Constructive Rest Pose Lying on your back with knees bent and feet on the ground helps the psoas relax and reset.
Practice With Presence As you move through these poses, listen to your body. Breathe into the sensations, and allow space for whatever emotions arise. Tears, frustration, even laughter—these are signs that your body is releasing and realigning. Yoga isn’t just about flexibility in the body—it’s about freedom in the mind and spirit. Releasing trapped emotions through the hips is a powerful way to reclaim your inner peace.
