Why Does Yoga Make People Cry?

Imagine this scenario: you're in the middle of a yoga class, enjoying your practice and feeling completely fine- when all of a sudden you find yourself crying, unable to hold back your tears. While you might feel embarrassed and alone, in reality, crying is something that is often a part of yoga.

Have you experienced this? If not, you may have noticed someone else sniffling or wiping away tears in a class.

So, why does yoga make you cry? What is it that triggers the tears?

First of all, you have to recognize that our minds and bodies are not separate. When you experience emotional or spiritual turmoil in your life, it imprints in your body, whether you realize it or not. Our bodies work hard to stifle and contain our emotions, acting like armor as we go about our days and shield us from the outside world. We don't want to feel vulnerable, sad, stressed- so we bury the emotions inside our bodies and push them deep inside the recesses of our minds. So, when you fully relax your body and release all of your muscles during a yoga practice, your body is able to release some of the emotions that it has been holding onto so tightly.

The "trigger" for the tears can vary greatly depending on the individual. Maybe it was something the teacher said. Maybe you really needed the emotional release. Sometimes people are moved to tears when achieving a deep sense of peace, or when they feel a rush of joy.

Part of what makes yoga so beautiful and transformative is that it allows for the complete union of mind, body, and spirit. Our practice allows us to recognize the darker parts of ourselves that we keep in the shadows: connect to them, observe them- and release what no longer serves our higher Self.

No matter what it is that prompts the tears; recognize that it is a healthy, natural release. Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit; and the practice of yoga truly creates union in mind, body, and spirit. It allows us to strip down our guard, and feel every emotion and physical sensation in its most natural, raw form.

If you find yourself shedding a few tears during your asana practice or during a savasana, don't be embarrassed! Give yourself permission to fully experience your feelings. Allow yourself to release what needs to be released. Let go of what no longer serves you.

Om, shanti, shanti, shanti
Peace, peace, peace.


Namaste,
Rebecca