Open Up Your Hips
Unlocking your hips to release emotions
Our bodies are metaphysical vessels. They can hold physical sensations and emotional experiences. It's not uncommon to feel emotions manifesting in different parts of the body. Have you ever felt your shoulders creep up to your ears when you feel tense? In fact, take a breath right now and release them. One area that harbors stored emotions is the hips. The hips are a storage site for unresolved feelings and traumas, leading to tension and discomfort. Rather than avoiding these feelings of discomfort we can explore effective techniques to release and find emotional freedom.
The hips, being the center of our body's stability and mobility, are closely connected to our emotions. Throughout life, we accumulate experiences, both positive and negative, that affect our emotional well-being. When we face challenging situations or traumatic events, we may unconsciously activate the fight or flight response apart of your nervous system. Our body tenses up our hips as a form of protection-ready to spring into action at any moment. When danger or threats dissolve, apart of the tension gets stored or “stuck” in the soft tissues of this hips, thus becoming a vessel for those emotions. Over time, this can lead to chronic tightness and discomfort in the hip area.
Releasing emotions from the hips:
Mindful Movement: Practicing mindful movement, can help release stored emotions from the hips. Stretches such as pigeon pose, lizard pose, and hip circles can be particularly effective in releasing tension and unlocking emotions in the hips. Focus on breathing deeply into the hip area during these poses to encourage relaxation and release.
Bodywork and Massage: Professional bodywork and massage therapies, like deep tissue massage or myofascial release, can target the hip area and help release physical and emotional tension stored in the muscles. These techniques can promote circulation, reduce tightness, and facilitate emotional release. For an at home friendly option use a foam roller or tension release ball.
Emotional Release Exercises: Engaging in specific emotional release exercises can help you access and express stored emotions in a safe and controlled manner. Techniques like journaling, art therapy, or guided meditation can aid in processing emotions and letting go of what no longer serves you.
Dance and Movement Therapy: Dancing and other forms of movement therapy (like STEP) can be a powerful way to release emotions from the hips. Allow your body to move freely, following its natural rhythm, and expressing emotions through dance can be deeply liberating.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Cultivating mindfulness and regular meditation practice can create space for self-reflection and increased awareness of emotions held in the hips. By observing these emotions without judgment, you can gradually release and transform them. Stay for cool-down after class to help practice mindfulness and pair with hip-releasing stretches.
Releasing emotions from the hips can be a transformative experience, fostering greater self-awareness and a deeper connection to our emotions. Tight hips can be a sign that the body is holding on to something it’s ready to let go of. Practice release at MARGO’S in STRETCH, CARDIO, SCULPT, and STEP to fully unlock the power of your body.