How do emotions get stored in the hips?

As a child we learn how to assimilate into culture and society. We then spend our entire adulthood 'discovering ourselves.’

We are not given a manual or handbook describing how to operate these bodies when we are born. In fact, most of what we learn is through trial and error. And most of what we practice doing in life is unlearning.’

There is an acupuncture point, DU4 Ming Men (Life Gate) located below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra that begins to be stimulated at 3 months of age when a child is contracting the muscles of the back and neck to look around at the horizon. This is our first taste of what is beyond us, and our first endeavor in striving for more. When the child learns to stand, pulsations from this point cause the child to walk and ‘go after’ whatever they have seen or are interested in.

When toddlers are learning how to walk they only move in one direction, forward. At this point in our development we are very linear. We haven’t learned how to turn, step backwards, or jump over obstacles in our pathway.

As we get older we have situations and events that pull us in different directions at the same time. We experience this as being parents, running a business, posting on social media, keeping up with friends, family, retirement, and taking care of our dog.

Engaging with, or avoiding certain stimuli can literally be a “pain in the ass” since unconsciously nerve stimulation activates muscles in this region which can lead to neurological pain, or disc herniation.

There is an energy channel called the Dai Mai. It is the only channel that flows horizontally through the body. It is like belt or bowl that captures all the residual energy that flows out of the other channels to prevent damage to their paired organ systems.

Most disease progression begins at a surface level gradually making it’s way inward before taking to a final resting posture. This is the body sacrificing the external; flesh, muscle and bone, to protect the interior; organ systems.

As we age usually the first body system to go is the elasticity of the muscles and skin which effect our movement and posture. The next system to go is our joints; cartilage, growth plates, discs, and bone. As the body begins sinking inward moving slower and mostly taking a sitting position, the mind becomes restless if it fights this natural progression, or it can become more meditative and focused. However because of this seated posture hollow organ systems begin to fail creating frequent UTI’s, bowel issues, prostate, and respiratory issues. Last to go is the dense organ systems of the pancreas, liver, and heart.

Because our spirit exists moment to moment it can exist to change our position in this life. The student of Yoga / Tai Qi recognizes this in their practice. The student will be the first to recognize the the transformation occurring within their body usually in the first 30 days. It takes on average 3 months for the transformation to reach the level of a persons constitution before effecting change on this deeper level. It is often around this 3 month mark that others will also begin to recognize a change occurring. Patience is key.

Why do emotions get stored in the hips?

This Day Mai Channel that circles the waist acts like a belt and if it’s too tight it can prevent circulation of energy to the legs causing Qi stagnation or dampness. If the belt is too loose this can allow Qi to leak out as is the condition with organ prolapse or even a miscarriage.

Because the body and mind process everything, like scents or sounds, some scents pass through unnoticed while other odors stay with us. Those that stay with us are stored, in a primitive form of protection.

An infant will recognize the smell of their mother before their eyes have developed. This allows the newborn to recognize potential dangers, and safety.

But as the newborn becomes an infant and then a toddler other senses develop and the keen smell for their mother safety is replaced to include touch and sight.

Sometimes we hold onto these memories when they no longer serve us.

We take in the world with our five senses. We experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and being touched by and touching the world. These signals refer back to the center of our being for processing. If an experience is not processed and released, it will get packed away and stored.

These unprocessed emotions are usually stored in a deep dark cave away from vital organs, usually muscles, where we can explore them later and release them. If we are not ready to deal with them this time maybe in the next lifetime.

The energy that is not released and not allowed to pass through is incomplete, unfinished. The stored unfinished energy is an impression. In Sanskrit, this is known as a samskara.

Through practicing asana in a specific way, with connection to special acupressure points along the body, we can help to release, or at the very least, not store, this energy.

Yoga makes the individual strong from the inside by improving the organ systems. It allows the individual to become responsible for their own health and develop a responsibility for it.

Stretches for the hip/pelvic floor to release old emotions

These stretches depend on if the belt is too tight or too lose. One would first need to determine if there is tightness with internal or external rotation of the legs. Then you will want to explore if the hips are naturally tilted anterior or posterior.

While some people will highly benefit from pigeon pose, or bound angle seated yoga postures, they may cause more Qi to sink in other individuals.

It’s best to consult an acupuncturist or physical therapist who understands the energetic hold the hips play in the body.

If you would like a free 15 minute evaluation to explore what type of yoga postures may be helpful, let’s figure this out together for you.