Emotions and the Heart’s Response

When we speak about emotions it seems the first thing that happens is the body’s response and facial gestures. The facial cues are: a smile, drawn down mouth, a quiver of the lips, piercing eyes, nostrils flare, jaw drops, tears, a roaring laugh…you get the drift. The body language has many cues such as: the chest caves in, slump of the shoulders, heart lifts with pride, the arms open for embrace, arms cross the heart, and it goes on. There is a reason for this. The heart perceives information first in the body then the brain figures out what to do with it. Therefore, the center of the body emotes a response. What does emotion mean? Where did it come from? The Latin root “emovere” “to set in motion”, means the idea of physical movement and the association with mental movement. (found in psychoanalysis dictionary) The choice of the word makes perfect sense as it was given to a literal physical reponse of the senses moving towards processed feelings. Now, why do so many of us hold back emotions. Fear of being “seen” vulnerable? Since when was that a negative thing? So many stories I have heard through the years during my hairstyling days and today as a yoga teacher about people’s stories and emotions. Here are just a few. “She was so expressive.” “He is way too affectionate with me.” She was so needy, I couldn’t wait to get away”. “Why does she have to be so sensitive?” “He is always so angry when we talk about our feelings”. “She can be so temperamental.” These are all just defenses. The truth lies in the heart. Untether your heart allowing your heart brain to express truth. Where there is vulnerability there is truth. Where there is truth there is love and compassion. That is all we need.