It’s no secret that our breath and emotions are intricately linked. When we try to suppress our feelings, we often begin by unconsciously controlling the depth and volume of our breath. By altering our breathing patterns, we can unintentionally influence our emotional state. Conversely, we can also consciously use our breath as a tool to access and release suppressed emotions.
Emotional Release in BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release® (BBTRS®)
In the context of BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release® (BBTRS®), emotional release is a process of allowing the body to naturally express emotions that may have been suppressed for years. Through deep, connected breathing combined with bodywork and movement, participants can access and release emotions that may have been buried within them, often manifesting as muscular tension, stiffness, or physical pain.
As emotions surface, participants are guided to safely express them through movement, sound, or tears. This process can be both cathartic and healing, as it allows the body to release stored emotional energy and regain a sense of balance. (For a deeper dive into this topic, see Giten’s book ‘Feel to Heal‘).
The Body’s Role in Storing Emotions
Our bodies are remarkable in their ability to store emotions, particularly those that we suppress due to family, religious, or cultural conditioning. For many of us, this suppression starts in childhood, leading to a lifetime of holding emotions in. It takes a tremendous amount of physical energy to “keep it all together” and maintain the appearance that “everything is okay.” However, while we might succeed on the surface, our bodies tell a different story. The tension we carry and the ailments we suffer from are often the body’s way of communicating unresolved emotional states.
The Impact of Repressed Emotions on Physical Health
Bessel van der Kolk’s book, The Body Keeps the Score, delves deeply into the idea that the body retains a record of every experience, including traumatic events and repressed emotions. Van der Kolk illustrates how these experiences are stored in the body long after the mind may have forgotten them. The body essentially keeps a detailed account of all emotional and physical experiences, and unresolved traumas can manifest in ways that might not immediately connect to past events. Scientific research supports this connection, revealing that repressed emotions can contribute to physical diseases. In fact, psychosomatic medicine has long acknowledged that conditions such as chronic pain, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and even cancer may have roots in unresolved emotional trauma.
The Healing Benefits of Emotional Release
The healing benefits of emotional release are profound. By allowing ourselves to experience and express our emotions, we enhance our sensitivity and awareness of our emotional states. This practice fosters emotional intelligence, enabling us to feel our emotions without becoming stuck or overwhelmed by them. Emotional release through BBTRS® helps us live healthier, more fulfilled lives, deepening our connections with ourselves and others.
Improving Physical Health and Relationships through Emotional Release
By releasing the muscular tension associated with repressed emotions, we improve circulation, allowing vital nourishment to reach our physical tissues. This process not only promotes physical health but also opens the door to deeper, more authentic relationships. When we allow our emotions to flow freely, we invite intimacy and love into our lives, creating long-lasting, healthy connections.
Reclaiming the Body’s Innate Wisdom
In essence, emotional release is about reclaiming the body’s innate wisdom. It’s about listening to the stories our bodies hold and giving ourselves permission to feel, express, and ultimately heal. Through practices like BBTRS®, we can unlock the hidden memories stored within us, transforming old wounds into a source of strength and resilience. If you’re interested in harnessing the transformative power of BBTRS® sessions for emotional release, we invite you to explore our offerings here.
