JoyFull Living

It’s February and all the hearts everywhere inspire me to write about the relationship between our emotional and physical heart.  There is more to a healthy heart than just diet and exercise. A study lead by author and cardiologist Ilan Wittstein, M.D showed that “sudden emotional stress can also result in severe but reversible heart muscle weakness that mimics a classic heart attack.” The impact of taking time to feel what surfaces in our emotional heart space can empower your life and result in a happier and healthier heart.  Many people don’t take the time to “feel” their feelings or they “stuff” their emotions and that can cause serious health problems, including depression.

In our fast-paced world, it is so easy to get swept up with getting things done. We can always be “too busy” to deal with what is going on in our emotional heart.  One of my teachers, Yogi Bhajan, called this modern world epidemic: “cold depression.”  It happens when people become so busy, so wrapped up with external demands, that they are insensitive to their internal needs and disconnected from how they feel. They have lost connection to their spirit. They don’t know they are depressed, they feel numb rather than overwhelmed by their emotions. Their “busyness” keeps them from feeling depressed.  If they are tired they turn to caffeine or energy drinks. If they want to relax, they rely on alcohol or drugs. If they feel bad about themselves, they push the feelings away by getting busier, so they don’t have time for self-care.  Doing things like volunteer work gives them a good reason not to have time.  There is nothing wrong with being busy, and doing volunteer work is wonderful, as is getting a lot done, but we need to create a balance.

Making time to tend to the needs of our mind, body and spirit, on a regular basis, is one of the BEST PREVENTIVE medicines.

Why is it so difficult for so many to be in touch with their feelings? Men have it the hardest. There is a lot of social pressure – if a man shows his emotions, he is seen as a weak person. Women are expected to be emotional, at least once a month.  But getting in touch with feelings isn’t just about being emotional and/or crying. The process I am talking about is allowing emotions to be felt, without diving into the “stories” to reenact the drama. If you have a surge of sadness, you allow it. Don’t try to fix it or figure it out, just give yourself the space and time to reclaim your power to feel. Again, don’t get into the story to relive a challenging moment. Stay in the moment and let the emotions ease through you. Don’t resist the urge to cry, allow it to pass through you like a gentle rain.  If you are angry, breathe through it, don’t judge it, release it, and don’t repress it.  If it feels too scary for you to face your emotions, get help. Your willingness to feel is not only healing, it’s empowering. It allows the energy in your body to flow and your mind to be clear. It is one of the best ways to keep your stress levels down.

Self-respecting your feelings will allow your life to be inspired and give you the sense of being more supported by the Universe. It will help boost your immune system and improve the function of your nervous system. Start by taking just a few minutes in the morning and at night to breathe, and write your thoughts down in a journal. This simple practice can begin to open the door to your heart.

Here is a great Meditation exercise that can help to clear you mind, release negativity and deepen your connection to your spirit and your authentic self:

7 Wave Meditation:

  • Sit with hands together, resting thumbs on your breast bone
  • Remembering to breathe slowly and completely; allow the breath to come all the way down into the belly.
  • Slow down the breath to 8 or 10 counts in; pause for 4 counts; exhale slowly for 8 or 10 counts for about 3 to 5 breaths.
  • Then vibrate the sound of “Sat” (which means truth), then the sound “Nam” (which means your Name), on your exhale.
  • The first sound is long: SaaaaaaaaaT; imagine 6 waves coming up with the aaa sound. On each wave, carry the sound through the chakras, or energy centers, beginning at the base of the spine at the rectum.
  • Continue up to the second center, the genitals; the third center, the navel point; the fourth at the heart; the fifth at the throat; the sixth at the brow point at the forehead;
  • End the exhale with “Nam” stressing the mmmm sound at the top of your head. Inhale slowly and start the sound again up the spine.

If you are not comfortable with these sounds you can also use “I AM”. Use a short “I”, long “aaaaa” for the first 6 waves and end with “mmmm” for the seventh at the top of your head.

Establish a practice of 3 minutes a day and increase to 5, 7 and eventually 11 minutes…. The power of your intention to take time for your internal well-being will begin to transform how you navigate your life.  As you release the resistance to feeling, you can soar on your journey towards a more Joy-Full heart

Remember to take time to breathe. © 2001-2012 Louise is an international inspirational speaker, author, creator of JoyFull Yoga and JoyFull living coaching. She owns JoyFull Yoga LLC in Jacksonville where she offers private sessions and group classes.  For more information on classes in Jacksonville visit www.joyfull-yoga.com; (541)899-0707  For more JoyFull Living tips, on-line classes and information about Louise visit www.louiselavergne.com