Energy is something we don’t completely understand yet as humans. I find that I am highly sensitive to the energy of others. I can feel the tension or anxiety entering a building or room and I find other people’s moods directly impact my own. There is no scientific explanation for this (yet), but my experience tells me that invisible energies are very real and have a very real effect on us. Negative emotions can keep us from fully experiencing the present moment.

“Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.”

― Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith

One of my greatest challenges has been how to let go of my own negative emotions, traumatic experiences and pain which cause me to hold grudges. We know that holding onto past pain hurts us more than the person who may have done us wrong, yet it is difficult to let that go. I have attended many sessions encouraging me to “let things go,” but that is easier said than done. 

The energy of the trauma is stored in our bodies’ tissues (primarily muscles and fascia) until it can be released. If it is not released, this stored trauma can lead to pain and progressively erode your body’s health. Studies have shown that trauma and chronic stress (PTSD, for example) can change your body at a molecular level and there is evidence to suggest that trauma can be passed down through generations through parental DNA. Therefore, it is important to move this traumatic energy out of the tissues before it is completely integrated into your body. This is the basis of somatic bodywork for trauma. Mindfulness and movement can be a way to help your body release these negative experiences -- physically moving the body can help to shake up the negative energy being held within. Through the use of breathwork, visualization and mindful movement, you can release past trauma and negative energy from the tissues. Even then, you may have to do it many times with a specific experience in mind to truly let it go. 

Another reason to practice somatic bodywork to remove negative energy is also so you will take steps to shield yourself energetically. I am a giant sponge: Wherever I go, I soak up whatever is around me. At times this is a benefit, as I can easily empathize with friends and family. When it comes to the rest of my life, it’s a definite liability! Particularly as a teacher, picking up all of the energy floating around a school can leave me feeling drained and greatly affect my overall mood. Learning how to shield yourself will enable you to reinforce that shield when entering places like hospitals, prisons, or even concert halls and bars. Wherever people congregate, there will be collective energy in that space; often it contains energy you’d rather not be picking up on and feeling.

Before clearing any space, clear your own energy. Just as you regularly cleanse your body, it’s important to cleanse the build-up of energy that’s in your field. Some of it will invariably be yours from your own stress, illness, or painful emotions; some will be what you’ve picked up from other people and places. Think of it as energy hygiene. I try to clear myself before teaching or leading any of my workshop sessions so I’m starting fresh. 

Through the use of breathwork, yoga posture and meditation /  relaxation, we are able to release energy blocks and tension from the physical body. This allows your life force (known as prana in Yoga) to flow freely within your body. Use this after negative experiences, to help process trauma, or anytime when you will be in contact with many people.

Start by sitting in Sukhasana (Easy Pose) and clearing your own energy:

Set an intention for releasing all your own negative energy and everything you’ve picked up on from others. Something like: I am releasing all energy that no longer serves me.

• Imagine a small ball of brilliant, golden light in the center of your chest, expanding the light on each exhalation.
• Imagine breathing in and out through your chest, expanding the light on each exhalation.
• Spread the light throughout your entire body. See it in your head, torso, arms, and toes.
• Now expand it beyond your skin until the light is about an arm’s length out in all directions.

When you do this regularly, you will find yourself calmer, more peaceful, less reactive, and more balanced.

Then start with some movement to help your body release any energy stored in the body. Much of our emotional energy is stored in the hips so many of the poses proposed are meant to open the hips. Don’t be surprised if you feel the need to cry -- let it flow! Crying itself is cleansing.

Marjaryasana (Cat-to-Cow) 

The Cat-to-Cow pose is beneficial as it calms the mind, relieves stress and releases tension in the shoulders and neck. It opens the chest to encourage deep breathing (which is also cleansing). Plus the movement of the spine encourages your prana to circulate through your chakras (energy centers of the body).

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

The Standing Forward Bend is a pose that can bring calm. It is great for increasing exhalation (to release toxins and negativity), as well as releasing tension in the shoulders and neck.

Vrksasana (Tree pose)

Tree Pose is the perfect balancing posture to help you focus on the present instead of feeling stuck in the past. Focusing on the present, even for a few moments, will help the mind and body release the stagnant energy holding you back. Because it encourages a meditative state, it should be used to bring calm to your mind when you feel out of balance. Just like a tree can withstand the elements without breaking, so can the tree pose help you stand strong physically and emotionally with whatever you are facing.

Tada Kapotasana (Standing Pigeon Pose/Standing Figure Four) 

Standing Pigeon Pose requires your full focus in order to remain balanced, which keeps you in the present moment. Standing Pigeon Pose, or Standing Figure Four, also works on opening your hips, which in turn helps release negative energy and emotions.

Chaturanga Dandasana (Plank Pose) 

Plank Pose is known for assisting in the release of endorphins. These are the “feel good” chemicals that get released during physical activity. Therefore, plank pose can improve your mood, reduce stress, and increase feelings of happiness.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Facing Dog) 

This pose is considered to be the best yoga poses for clearing negative energies and can be helpful in fighting depression and fatigue.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)

This position is great for lifting your energy and helping you focus. As you let your head hang long, you will also release any tension in your neck. Because of the increased blood flow to the top of the body, downward-facing dog can help improve brain function and cognition and reduce anxiety and depression.

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) 

Bound Angle Pose will gently release your hips and help move blocked energy through and out of the body. It can help release tension, reduce fatigue, and help to release feelings of guilt or shame.

Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand) or Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Wall-supported Handstand)

Inversions invite you to literally see the world from a different perspective. They move the energy within your body and help you let go of stagnant energy and emotion. Being upside down also sends nourishing blood to your brain, resulting in stress- and anxiety-relieving benefits so you emerge feeling calm, relieved, and in control of your emotions.

Savasana (Corpse Pose)

Savasana is the ultimate opportunity to allow yourself to release and let go. In the silence and stillness of Savasana you can become more aware of what is holding you back, so use this opportunity to let go of any negative energy and emotion.

Practice shielding

This process is mostly done through visualization. Visualization can be done anywhere, anytime -- even while sitting in a busy airport. If you think you’re not good at visualizing, give it a try. Like anything, it gets easier with practice. Plus, you’re not just imagining -- you are creating a real energetic shift that you will be able to feel in time.

Here’s how:

1. In a comfortable, seated position (or during Corpse Pose), close your eyes and focus on your breathing, as you did at the beginning of your practice.
2. Imagine a large bubble around you, about an arm’s length from your body in all directions. Imagine what this bubble looks like in your mind -- completely enveloping you and protecting you.
3. Ask this bubble to act as a shield, using its intelligence to allow love and positive energy in. Ask that anything negative not be allowed to penetrate -- that it may hit the shield, slide off, and get neutralized by the earth.
4. Fill the bubble with healing, golden light.