Have you ever considered that your physical body carries the emotions that we experience? And that those emotions can affect the way we move? In this blog I want to consider our emotions and tight hips.
It is well known by those who teach and practice yoga that performing hip opening postures and movements can cause us to become emotional, even bringing tears. Most of us do not understand why, or readily associate the tightness and tension in our body with trapped emotions. The medical profession may attribute it to inflammation, injuries, repetitive strain, too much sitting or even “just getting older”.. They are only just beginning to look at the association between the physical body and the emotions / energetic.
Of course these reasons are all valid possibilities, and should be considered as part of the picture, however, I often find that releasing trapped emotions brings more relief and more improvement in flexibility, strength and function than any amount of pills, exercise, massage or even physical treatments.
The Root or 1st Chakra
Our root chakra is located at the base of spine. It is the first one to become activated when we are born and is associated with particular aspects of our wellbeing. The new baby requires the first 4 of these things from the time of birth and will go on to develop the fifth:
- Security, safety, survival
- Basic needs (food, sleep, shelter, self-preservation, etc.)
- Grounding
- Support and foundation for living our lives
- Physicality, physical identity and aspects of self
The Sacral or 2nd Chakra
This is located in the lower abdomen, about 3 inches below our belly button or navel.
In the Western world this chakra is commonly referred to as being to do with sex and sexuality, however, it is far more than that… It has to do with gratification, sensuality, pleasure of all types and creativity. It has to with the enjoyment of life, freedom from worry, the ability to be spontaneous and have fun.
Emotions and Tight Hips
Any situations or events that cause emotions that counter these qualities will bring a blockage in our energy and affect our physical body. In particular anxiety, fear, trauma, not feeling safe and secure will cause the root to become locked tight as a protection. Many clients I meet are stuck tight in their root chakra and, as a part of this, they have deficient energy in their 2nd chakra. It is hard to be spontaneous, joyful, creative and full of fun when we are full of fear!
The effect is cumulative and repeated events will add up, in addition the more intense the event the more the fear locks the hips tight. Combine this with genetic memories kindly passed to us from parents, grandparents and other ancestors and those experiences from past lives and we often have an excess of stored up emotional baggage.
I have had many clients with PTSD, and who suffered childhood abuse and assaults and a number traumas.
I will often ask them “How do your hips feel, do you find they are tight and restricted?”
The answer is always “Yes”, and usually accompanied by “How did you know that…??”
My answer will be “More often than not, there is a link between your emotions and tight hips!”
Releasing the emotions
The are many ways to do this, and each one of us requires a different combination of approaches, there is never a one size fits all.
Counselling and Psychotherapy
For some, working with the conscious mind through counselling, psychotherapy and talk therapy is enough. However, it is more common that this brings the ability get on with life, to function, and to even be successful but does not release the emotions form the body. I liken it to taking the events and traumas, packaging them up, then sticking the boxes in the closet. They are out of immediate sight so do not impact our everyday life, but they are sitting there festering and will most likely come back to haunt us at some point in our lives..
Hypnotherapy
This works more with the subconscious. It allows us to let go of the rational and access our inner wisdom. Through hypnotherapy we can begin to take out those boxes of emotional garbage and throw them out. There is a “blind” approach where it is not necessary to open those boxes and relive the events, but simply to acknowledge the emotions involved and to throw them out.
Energy Healing and Reiki
A good healer will facilitate the release of emotions from your body. Using either light hands on, or using their hands in the energetic field of the body, they will create a safe space for the body to work through the emotions. They will bring energy in where required, assist with the flow and unblocking of energy end emotions and take and dispose of anything you are ready to release.
CranioSacral Therapy
This is a very subtle, hands on technique that works with both the physical and energetic aspects of our being. A good CranioSacral Therapist will be able to feel those trapped emotions and will work with your body to release them. It is not unusual for people to experience emotions during a treatment as things are released.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Tapping
The Emotional Freedom Techniques, or EFT, is very easy to learn and can be used at home. It is a form of psychological acupressure, simple tapping is used on certain points while thinking about the traumatic event, pain or negative emotions, along with the voicing of positive affirmations. This works to clear the emotional blockages.
Yoga
Another technique you can use on your own at home as well as in a class or with an instructor. Performing specific hip opening exercises can teach the body that it can let go of the tensions along with the emotions that are behind them.
Clinical Somatic Therapy or Education
This gentle approach works to teach the body to go beyond the restrictions imposed by the emotional baggage it carries. Slow, conscious movements are used with the help of a therapist using hands on techniques. Exercises are provided to be done at home to continue the healing journey. In the process of learning to let go of the restrictions it also lets go of the emotions.
Conclusion
Emotions and tight hips: the body holds onto the emotions that we experience, causing very real physical symptoms. Most people will choose a number of different techniques and approaches over time to release these emotions, some starting from the physical and some form the emotional / energetic angle. Whatever techniques you choose to release the emotions and to unlock your hips it is a journey that cannot be rushed. Enjoy it and be curious about the process.
For more information book a Free discovery session with me today.
