Wood Chopper Technique: Somatic Release For Anger

This somatic exercise helps release frustration, anger and irritation, as well as any pent-up negative thoughts or emotions. It's origin in Chi-gong, and it can be practiced by anyone, gently or more forcefully if required. Body movement is combined with sound to increase the transformative properties.

Transcript

Sometimes we feel like we have pent up energy, Irritation, Frustration, Aggravation, Even anger, Or just nervous energy that's really intense in our system. And a really great way to let it out is this exercise from Polarity Therapy. It's from Eastern Medicine. It helps work with the elements metal and fire, And it's called Woodchopper. So you're going to make a sound and a movement at the same time. Time if you can get out into nature and do that that's even better but if you have a place in your apartment or room you can go in and close the door this is perfect. So three to five times should be enough but if you want to keep going there's nothing wrong with doing this ten times. The sound that you'll make is ha. And you're gonna make a very loud, Breathy sound. Huh. So you'll breathe in deeply and then, Ha, As you're making the motion. Your feet are a little wider than hip distance. Toes can point forward or slightly outwards. You're going to interlace your fingers like this, As if you're holding an axe. Inhale the arms over the head. And as you exhale, And swing forward. So now I'm gonna take off this little microphone from my shirt so you can hear and see the actual exercise without overwhelming this mic. Okay, Again, You can bring feet a little wider than hip distance. Hands interlaced. Okay, So that is the traditional version from polarity therapy. This is the version that Sri Dharmamitra, My yoga teacher, Showed us. So this is a slightly different version. Your feet can be wide or like a nice wide squat. And you do drop your hips down. So if your knees and your lower back allow that, You're going to drop the hips down and throw the arms out. And you're almost sending the energy out of your fingertips. Ha! Hands on hips as you inhale. So I'll show you now without the microphone.