Embracing the pain – Yoga with Rona

We have all experienced emotional pain at one time or another. If you are human, you have had pain. That's just a fact. Feelings of pain can be unbearable and even reach unbearable levels. Why should we accept that we have pain? and even more, accept it? Accepting pain may seem counterintuitive, but only if we allow ourselves to experience every emotion, whether good or bad feelings, can we live a fully authentic life.

This is part of a weekly blog series called “Inspirational Quotes.” They are meant to add a little inspiration and awareness to your week. This week's quote is about accepting pain or negative emotions.

Inspirational quotes

Our tears are precious, necessary, and part of what makes us such endearing creatures.

David Rico

Our tears are precious. I love this! What a brilliant way to describe tears. We don't think of pain or whatever is causing our demise as “precious.” But it is, for all life is truly precious. It may not seem like it right now, but as time goes by and we have had enough time to reflect, we can see how and why certain things had to happen.

Sometimes there may be no reason for the cause of our pain and it just is that way. However, everything comes with ebbs and flows; Life will have its ups and downs. Tears are precious because the act of crying is an emotional release. We need to feel and allow those feelings to arise. It is unnatural, unhealthy and cowardly to avoid feeling emotions.

Tears are necessary. Think about a time in your life when you experienced the most growth. Chances are there was pain and chances are the greater the pain, the more growth you experienced. Accepting pain doesn't mean turning around and pretending everything is okay. It simply means that we do not avoid it, but rather welcome the experience and are open to what it can teach us.

Preventing pain is very rational, since no one prefers discomfort to comfort. However, when pain is already present, we should not resort to avoiding it and “masking” it with other activities and distractions. This may work temporarily, but when the mask wears off, the pain will still be there. It may even become louder and therefore harder to ignore. This is a wounded and delicate part of you that needs care. Pain wants to be felt but also to let go. Accept the pain and then let it go. The pain is and should be temporary. Masking it only keeps you stuck and unable to move forward.

Your pain makes you endearing. It makes you vulnerable and unique. Those delicate parts of you that were once broken but are now healed or still healing come together to form the big picture of your life and what makes you who you are. Embrace him because turning your back on him is the same as denying yourself.

Diary Prompt: Accept the Pain

How do I feel and release my emotional pains? Do I tend to mask them?

What is the most painful experience of my life and how has it impacted me?

What are the most important lessons from my painful experiences?

Yoga Pose to Try: Embracing Pain with a Camel

Camel pose is a very vulnerable position. It can be a little awkward, so be sure to modify it as necessary. In camel the chest is open and we assume a very open position. This is a posture that embraces all parts of ourselves and encourages feelings of openness and vulnerability.