Releasing the pressure valve,
Some emotions carry an especially strong energy.
The mind becomes highly active and the body grows tense.
This often happens when you are angry,
Anxious or overwhelmed.
In these moments,
You can benefit from letting off some steam.
You can use this exercise to relieve pressure in the moment and bring some softness to your experience.
Begin by closing the eyes and tuning in to the breath.
Fill the chest completely and empty it smoothly and slowly.
Take a few deep breaths like this,
Resting your attention on the rise and fall of the chest.
Recognize what you are feeling in an effort to not own it completely or allow it to consume you.
Try to give it a name that evokes a little love.
For example,
If you are feeling angry,
You will notice that Angry Buddha is present.
Or you can give it a name like Little Johnny.
This will help you separate yourself from the emotion while also encouraging you to deal with it from a place of sweetness.
See if you can find a location in the body where the emotion is present.
You may feel tightness in the chest,
A pit in the stomach or tension in the shoulders.
Instead of trying to rid yourself of that feeling,
Make space for it.
Picture the emotion as a dense ball in this spot and allow it to spread out and make its way through the entire body.
Keep some awareness on the breath to help stabilize you during this practice.
Finally,
Breathe in the essence of the emotion and exhale its energy out.
You may picture yourself allowing the emotion to gently dissipate as you breathe.
Don't try to push the feelings away,
Rather,
Gently allow them to continue on.
You may even try saying goodbye to Angry Buddha or Little Johnny.
Bring your awareness back to your breath.
Feel the inhales and exhales.
Allow your breath to release any last remaining emotions that you might have.
Or at least set them in a corner for now so that you can start to open your eyes and be aware of your surroundings once again.
