Yoga for Emotional Release: Moving Through Grief and Letting Go

 

By Dr. Felicia Stoler

Grief is a natural and necessary response to loss, yet it can feel overwhelming and isolating. Whether mourning the loss of a loved one, navigating a major life change, or processing past trauma, grief can weigh heavily on both the mind and body. Yoga offers a compassionate way to work through grief by fostering emotional release and promoting acceptance.

How Yoga Supports Emotional Healing

Yoga is more than just physical exercise—it’s a holistic practice that connects the body, mind, and spirit. Emotions are often stored in the body as tension or discomfort, especially in the hips and shoulders. By moving mindfully and practicing breath awareness, yoga helps release these held emotions, creating space for healing.

Poses for Emotional Release

  1. Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana): Opens the hips, releasing stored emotions and tension.

  2. Child’s Pose (Balasana): A comforting, grounding pose that encourages surrender and reflection.

  3. Heart Opener (Camel Pose or Bridge Pose): Releases emotional blockages and fosters vulnerability.

  4. Forward Fold (Uttanasana): Encourages introspection and quiet reflection, promoting a sense of letting go.

Breathwork to Move Through Grief 

In addition to movement, focused breathwork helps process and release difficult emotions. Try deep belly breathing or three-part breath (Dirga Pranayama) to ground your body and soothe your mind.

Creating a Safe Space for Healing

At Open Heart Yoga NJ, we offer gentle and supportive classes designed to help you move through grief with compassion. Our trauma-sensitive approach ensures that practitioners feel safe to explore their emotions without judgment.

Support Beyond the Mat 

While yoga can be a powerful tool for healing, it is also essential to seek additional support when needed. We encourage our community members to explore counseling, support groups, and other holistic approaches alongside their yoga practice. Stephy’s Place is one of our community partners.

 
Mary Ansell