It's OK to Cry

Today I started spontaneously crying in the car. I don't even know what I was thinking about - everything was fine, and then all of a sudden, I felt it. The tightness in my chest, the sinking of my shoulders, and the welling up behind my eyes.

"Ok, it's happening." I told myself. And then the tears came. It was short. The tears arrived and then stopped.

I don't cry. I probably went entire years without crying. It didn't matter if I was crying because I was happy or crying because I was sad. I simply didn't let my body allow it. I changed the subject, changed the radio station, or changed my location. I ran. I numbed. I talked to myself. Crying felt unnecessary and like something was wrong. I also worried that if I let myself cry, I may never stop.

We are conditioned to figure everything out. Everything needs a reason or a justification. Is this big enough for a good cry? Everything needs a thought or explanation attached. But sometimes, the body simply needs something, and our mind has no place in the matter.

I am reminded of my dog who instinctively stops in the middle of anything and shakes from head to tail. The energy let out and released is palpable throughout the room and around her form. She emerges from the experience a different dog. The dog doesn't worry or consider why. It just happens. Her body takes over and she allows it. She doesn't feel guilty or the least bit curious when it's done. She moves on, like it never happened.

Yoga teaches us that our body holds emotions, imbalances, memories and stories. Our nervous system regulates every autonomic function, and when something is off in the body, our mind will never know. The body knows immediately, and will try to do what's necessary to rid or release. Our role when we feel something in the body approaching, is to allow it.

Energy wants to move. Energy will arrive as sensation - a thirst, a hunger, a need to rest, or a need to cry. If we can stay out of our mind, and simply trust the body enough to allow, we'll feel lighter, better, and we won't even be able to explain it. Not everything needs a label or an answer. Not everything needs figuring out.

When we are aware enough to remain present, our body might sense that it is safe to let go. Our body craves this opportunity, to not be ruled by the rational mind. Let yourself dance. Let yourself scream. Let yourself cry. Spontaneous release means letting go of the conditioned desire to keep it all together, to act "appropriately", and to maintain a pretty outer appearance. Sometimes release is exactly what the body (and the soul) needs.