Why People Cry in Yoga

It happens more than you think. Someone's lying in savasana, not thinking about anything, and suddenly they feel tears streaming down their cheeks. Or it wells up during a hip opener. Or a long exhale turns into something that shakes.

If this has happened to you, you probably wondered what was wrong with you. We often hear "I am not even sad, and I just started crying for no reason".

Your body stores stress... literally

Stress lives in your muscles, your breath, your jaw. You adapt to it so well you stop noticing it's there. Then you slow down, breathe deeply, move into held places, and your nervous system finally gets the signal: you can let go now. Sometimes letting go looks like tears.

Safety makes room for what you've been carrying

When you're in a room where nobody is asking anything of you, something can surface that's been waiting. Your nervous system decides it's okay to feel it. And then... the tears roll.

If this happens to you, don't worry, nobody stares, nobody makes it a thing. You can grab a tissue, keep breathing, and the class moves forward. You're in good company, and all of you is welcome here.