Why Do We Cry During Yoga? The Science of Stored Emotion
If you have ever settled into a deep Pigeon Pose and unexpectedly felt tears welling up, you are not alone. At PURE Yoga, our instructors frequently see members experience sudden emotional releases during hip-opening sequences. While it can come as a shock in a group class setting, this phenomenon—often called the “yoga cry”—is a completely natural, scientifically backed response to stress relief.
Your Body’s “Emotional Junk Drawer”
To understand why this happens, we have to look at the anatomy of stress. When humans experience anxiety, fear or trauma, our nervous system immediately triggers a “fight or flight” response. The brain sends a signal to the psoas major—a deep core muscle connecting the lower spine to the top of the thigh—telling it to contract. This physical contraction is an ancient survival mechanism designed to curl the body into a protective fetal position.
But in our modern, more sedentary lives, we rarely release this tension. Sitting at a desk all day keeps the psoas chronically shortened, effectively locking that “fight or flight” stress into the physical tissues of the hips.
Somatic Release on the Mat
This is where yoga practice comes in. When you perform deep hip openers, you are actively stretching the psoas and the surrounding fascia. As the physical muscle finally unwinds and lengthens, the nervous system receives a signal that you are safe. This profound physical relaxation often triggers a “somatic release”—allowing the trapped emotional energy to exit the body, sometimes resulting in unexpected tears or a deep sigh.
How to Handle an Emotional Release
If you get a surge of emotion during a yoga class:
- Don’t fight it: Recognise that crying is a healthy physiological function of the nervous system recalibrating.
- Focus on the exhale: Deepen your breath to signal safety to your body.
- Get into Child’s Pose: If a pose feels too intense, retreat to Child’s Pose (Balasana) to ground yourself.
Yoga is not just about physical flexibility; it is a tool for profound mental and emotional wellness. The next time you find yourself crying on the mat, celebrate it. Your body is finally letting go of the burden.