Joy, happiness, anger, sadness... a myriad of emotions surge within us. Yet, isn't it true that environments where we can express these feelings directly are surprisingly rare? More often than not, we find ourselves suppressing or swallowing our emotions.
We might appear to control our emotions, making situations and relationships seem smoother. But where do these suppressed and swallowed emotions truly go?
Emotions as Living Beings: The Pulse Within the Body
Emotions pulse as if breathing, contracting and expanding. If an emotion could be expressed the moment it arises, that pulsing feeling would spread fully, fulfilling its purpose. In doing so, the emotion would naturally sublimate.
However, when an emotion arises but isn't expressed, when it's suppressed or swallowed, that pulsing feeling, wanting to expand, cannot, and thus cannot fulfill its purpose. At that moment, the emotion remains within your body, pulsing and awaiting the time it can fulfill its purpose.
If you consistently find yourself in environments where certain emotions cannot be expressed, a pattern of suppressing or swallowing them emerges each time those feelings arise. If this situation persists, the emotions dwelling within your body may eventually begin to attack the body itself, manifesting as various symptoms.
Emotions are "living beings"; they cannot be controlled.
Emotions Overflowing Through Touch
It is a common experience for bodyworkers who touch people's bodies that when they touch a client's body (especially the muscles), emotions can overflow from within that person. For instance, in my experience, touching the pectoralis minor often brings forth feelings of sadness. This is evidence that emotions reside within the body, and something I can perceive due to my sensitive bodily awareness.
Emotions remain within the body. Once you become aware of them, what's crucial is to express them. It's important to note here that "expressing emotions" and "venting emotions at others" are entirely different things.
"What if I'm disliked for expressing my feelings?" "I might hurt someone." "They won't understand anyway."... If you feel this way, you might be trying to convey, vent, or make others understand your emotions.
There's no need for that. Simply "release" the emotions from within your body. You can do this alone in a room. The key at that moment is to "embody the emotion." For more details, please refer to our previous article on Kokokara, "Try Expressing Emotions Through Your Body."
Unfolding Bodywork: Supporting the Liberation of Emotions
At Unfolding Bodywork, we approach the emotions dwelling deep within your body with gentleness and care. Rather than forcefully extracting emotions, we support their natural release and the restoration of their original pulse by easing tension and stagnation in the body.
By liberating suppressed emotions from your body, long-held symptoms may alleviate, and you may experience a sense of lightness and freedom in both mind and body. Unfolding Bodywork trusts in your body's inherent power to sublimate emotions and supports you through this profound process.
What emotions does your body hold within? By acknowledging and liberating the feelings residing in your body, why not reclaim true freedom and harmony for your mind and spirit?