As we progress along our maturation process, we may encounter old emotional patterns that we have hidden away. These patterns are often based on fears or inappropriate patterns of behavior acquired in childhood that we may not have been prepared to deal with in the past. They can even be inherited -- some emotional patterns are repeated for generations.

As this emotional baggage rises to be healed, it can seem scary if not recognized as part of the healing process. At this point we have a choice: to go back to our old ways; to pretend there's not a problem (denial); or to face our own reality.

The emotional patterns we hold may be buried so deep that we don't even know they are there. We may only feel them as tensions in our bodies that have been stored. If not addressed, however, these holds will become more pronounced, eventually surfacing as physical afflictions. We're all familiar with the aches and pains that arise in the body, sometimes seemingly without explanation.

Encountering our fears, after a life of denial, takes real courage, strength and patience. But looking fear in the eye is most often not as bad as we would think. By watching ourselves as observers who are not participating in the drama of the emotion, we can move out of our own way and, thus, rediscover ourselves. In observing our innermost fears without identifying with them, we move beyond these holding patterns. Yoga Therapy provides a safe haven in which to do this -- to recognize and move beyond fear.

Releasing
In Yoga Therapy, emotional issues are addressed through the release of tensions in the body. A typical session may proceed in the following way: The Yoga Therapist holds you in various yoga poses, perhaps for 3 to 5 minutes. Sometimes you help; sometimes you are passive. However, you are always in control. With assistance from the Yoga Therapist, poses are held for a longer period of time than in a Yoga class. You are encouraged to be mindful of the moment, to breathe through the powerful sensations in your body.

The role of the Yoga Therapist is to guide and support you in your transformational journey of healing. He or she will check in with you during the process. "How are you doing? Can you go a little further? Tell me when to back off." Thus, you are invited to explore your "edge" for a time. As you become more comfortable with the process, you may be able to glimpse over the edge at your true nature as your inner light becomes more available.

Yoga Therapy is a tool used to transcend the old patterns and rechannel that blocked energy into a more useful direction. Just as our being consists of energy on many levels (the body, mind, emotions, the spirit, and beyond), we also hold stresses and heal on many levels.

Some individuals may only be interested in -- or may only notice -- healing on the physical level. However, as tensions in the body are released and the mind is calmed and directed inward, one naturally feels more freedom to move into deeper layers of emotional and spiritual energy to a deeper understanding of one's true self.

Henry: A Case Study
Henry hurt his hip in a skiing accident years ago. Scar tissue from the old injury caused stiffness in the hips and hamstrings for years, which contributed to low back pain. Recently, he slipped while hiking and reinjured himself. The accident was caused in part by his inflexibility and weakness in the hip area. Henry also held emotional issues around his sexuality, which revealed itself as weakness in the sacrum and low back pain. (The hips and sacrum are associated with the 1st and 2nd chakras, which are associated with physical strength and sexuality.)

Henry was supported in welcoming resistance as I assisted him in forward bends and leg stretches. His low back pain began to subside with the strengthening exercises I gave him to practice at home. His hips moved more freely and were less painful as he stretched them out.

As Henry weaned himself from private sessions, he attended yoga classes and continued strengthening and stretching exercises at the gym and at home. Gradually, the sexuality of his relationship also improved, becoming more "real" to him.

Reawakening the Body
Causes of hip stiffness can be the result of scar tissue buildup from old injuries; RMS (repetitive motion syndrome) -- perhaps from doing a lot of hiking and climbing; or from cultural influences, such as having been told over and over that one had better be in control or something "bad" might happen.

Yoga postures are based on natural forms, such as trees, mountains, animals and insects. The natural intelligence of the body is reawakened with these postures, either with the help of a Yoga Therapist or through self-practice. Soft tissues become freed of unnecessary stress, and bones and joints become aligned and strengthened. Exercising the muscles also moves the fluids of the body. As the nervous system perceives this new stability and vigor, it releases unnecessary tensions, thus resulting in more efficiency and freedom of movement in the bones, muscles and fluids.

Nancy: A Case Study
Nancy complained of shortness of breath, a mild tightness in the chest and a lack of energy. Medical examination revealed no heart or lung disorders. After a short interview, I realized that her inability to release grief was her main emotional issue. When her mother had died, Nancy had never felt moved to cry for her loss.

Although Nancy had done some exercise on her own, no improvement was noted. This was a classic case of long held grief issues and defenses around the heart area. After a body scan, we decided that the Cobra pose would help to open her heart.

Supported Cobra (as shown in the photo) opened Nancy's chest and increased her prana (increasing the ability to extract and acquire energy from oxygen through the breath). Nancy first noticed the physical sensations of the pose -- a warming of the chest and recognition of tight areas in the shoulders, neck and upper back. When these areas are not mobile, the heart and lungs do not operate to full capacity. With less intake of oxygen, there is less life. With full functioning of the lungs and heart, there is more oxygen, more life.

Nancy became emotional at one point during the stretches and let go of some of the emotions she held in her heart. As the process continued, Nancy's chest and shoulders became more open. The nervous system, adrenal glands and heart then became energized because of the support and openness this pose offers. Nancy felt a great deal of relief, and more energetic after just one session.

Continuing Yoga Practice
As one proceeds with a yoga practice (on your own or with private sessions), a person moves through the subtle layers of the body, and begins to recognize the real underlying issues of the symptoms at hand.

During Yoga Therapy sessions, I am always present with my clients, encouraging attention to the breath and sensations of the body. This is a safe and comfortable environment in which to let go. Moans, sounds and comments are encouraged, but not required. Sometimes, memories or images will come to mind, though sometimes not.

Essential oils are often used for relaxation and focus at the beginning of a session along with a short meditation and a connection of our energies. Our goal is not perfection, but the journey in that direction -- toward being more authentic in our emotions and more flexible and strong in our bodies. We don't need to feel guilty because we're not perfect. We are all in the process of moving in that direction. The transformational journey of healing is not easy. I am on my own journey. We all are, and it's not easy.

One of the delights of being human on this planet is that we are given the opportunity to explore emotions. Another is that we need each other and are given opportunities to help each other. It is wonderful to be available to support another person on his or her healing path. Just learning to accept help can be a major accomplishment, as well.