Feel to Heal: Breathing Through Your Emotions

Part 2 of The Power of Your Breath Blog Series

Emotions have a funny way of showing up—especially when we least expect them. One minute you’re answering emails, the next you’re on the verge of tears. Or rage. Or numbness. Most of us were never taught what to do with our feelings, let alone how to safely feel and release them.

But here’s the truth: emotions don’t need to be fixed—they need to be felt.
And the breath is one of the safest, most effective tools to do just that.

How Emotions Get Stuck in the Body

Emotions are energy in motion. When we suppress, ignore, or push them aside, that energy gets stuck. It often shows up as:

• Tight shoulders
• A lump in the throat
• Shallow breathing
• Headaches
• Mood swings or burnout

Breathwork helps move that stuck energy by creating space in the body and nervous system. Rather than stuffing emotions down, you give them permission to rise, move, and release—without needing to analyze or explain them.

Breathwork = Emotional Alchemy

Here’s what breathwork offers on an emotional level:

1. A safe release valve
Breathwork allows emotions like grief, anger, fear, or joy to surface in a supported, nonverbal way. You don’t need to “talk it out”—you breathe it through.
2. More self-awareness
The breath helps you observe your emotions without getting swept away by them. You learn to feel without spiraling.
3. Emotional resilience
By regularly making space for your feelings, you become less reactive and more grounded—even in difficult situations.
4. Deeper compassion
As you hold space for your own emotional experience, you naturally extend more grace to others.

Try This: Emotional Reset Breath

When you’re feeling emotionally overwhelmed:

• Inhale through the nose for 5 counts
• Exhale audibly through the mouth for 5 counts (sigh it out)
• Repeat 10 times
• Place a hand on your heart and ask: What am I feeling right now?
• Let the breath guide you—not to fix the feeling, but to feel it fully.
  

You might notice tears, tingling, yawning, or even laughter. Let it move through.

Real Talk: It’s Not Always Comfortable

Sometimes, the body holds onto old grief or unprocessed emotions that bubble up during breathwork. This is normal. It’s also why so many people describe the practice as both intense and deeply healing. You’re not broken—you’re finally letting your body feel safe enough to release.

Your Breath Knows What You’re Ready to Feel

You don’t have to perform your healing. You don’t have to force anything.
You only need to breathe and be willing to feel.

Next up in this series: how breathwork supports the physical body—from boosting energy to easing pain.

But for today, take a moment to pause.
Place a hand on your heart.
And just breathe with whatever is true for you right now.