The Body as the Home of Emotions

Modern science tells us emotions are neurochemical signals—tiny bursts of chemistry shaping our thoughts, moods, and reactions. But for thousands of years, ancient traditions across Asia and India went further. They mapped emotions to specific organs, elemental forces, and even the movements of nature itself. They believed that fear, grief, or anger were not just “in your head”—they were also in your body.

Understanding where emotions “live” is not just fascinating—it’s liberating. Because once we recognize how emotions express themselves physically, we can begin to heal not just the mind, but the whole system.

Ancient Traditions: Emotions and the Body Connection

Various ancient traditions have long recognized the profound connection between emotions and the physical body, positing that feelings manifest not just in the mind but also within specific organs and energies. This holistic viewpoint can be observed in practices such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and various indigenous healing systems, each offering unique insights into the body-emotion relationship.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotions are not abstract—they are embodied. Each primary organ system is associated with a core emotional energy:

• Liver = Anger & Frustration

• Lungs = Grief & Sadness

• Kidneys = Fear & Insecurity

• Heart = Joy & Overexcitement

• Spleen = Worry & Rumination

When emotions are expressed and released, they flow like rivers. But when suppressed or held for too long, they stagnate—blocking Qi (vital energy) and eventually manifesting as physical or emotional illness. Someone holding onto unexpressed grief may develop shallow breathing, chest tightness, or even recurrent lung-related conditions. Someone who struggles with long-term anger may notice tension in the jaw, tightness in the shoulders, or digestive disturbances linked to the liver.

In practices like Qi Gong, students are taught to notice emotions as waves of energy—rising, peaking, dissolving. Instead of clinging to or rejecting them, the practitioner learns to breathe and move with them. This approach doesn’t judge emotions as “good” or “bad.” Instead, it asks: is your energy flowing, or blocked? simply cultivating awareness of how emotions shift energy in the body.

Similarly, Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, provides a framework for understanding emotions based on the three doshas: energetic constitutions of mind and body:

• Vata (air + space): Quick, light, mobile. When imbalanced → fear, anxiety, overwhelm.

• Pitta (fire + water): Intense, sharp, ambitious. When imbalanced → anger, irritability, competitiveness.

• Kapha (earth + water): Grounded, nurturing, stable. When imbalanced → sadness, lethargy, attachment.

In balance, each dosha also expresses healthy emotions:

• Vata brings creativity and joy.

• Pitta brings clarity and courage.

• Kapha brings compassion and calm.

Ayurveda teaches that emotions are forms of energy (prana) shaped by the mind-body constitution. If prana moves freely, emotions enrich our life. If blocked, emotions turn toxic.

These ancient traditions collectively emphasize the importance of recognizing emotions as integral components of the body, ensuring a holistic approach to health that resonates even in today’s increasingly fragmented healthcare practices.

The Therapeutic Role of Yoga in Emotional Healing

Yoga has long been recognized for its physical benefits, but its therapeutic value extends far beyond the realm of fitness. As modern science continues to uncover the intricate connections between body and emotion, yoga emerges as a potent practice for emotional healing. Yoga, particularly as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, sees emotions as part of chitta vritti—the fluctuations of the mind. These fluctuations are not the essence of who we are; they are passing waves across the still lake of consciousness.

Through asana (postures), pranayama (breath control), and meditation, yoga teaches us to observe emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them.

• Asana : Each yoga pose can elicit and release stored emotional energy, enabling practitioners to confront feelings that may arise during practice. Some pose not only stretch and strengthen the body but also encourage emotional release, making space for vulnerability and acceptance.

• Pranayama : By consciously manipulating the breath, practitioners can regulate their nervous system responses, leading to a reduction in anxiety and stress. Research has shown that certain breath patterns can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which soothes the mind and body, fostering a sense of calm and receptivity to emotional experiences.

• Meditation: By cultivating a mindful awareness of thoughts and feelings without judgment, individuals can resonate with their emotional state more acutely. This practice fosters a compassionate internal dialogue, promoting healing and resilience.

Through the integration of breathwork, asanas, and meditation, yoga offers a comprehensive approach to addressing emotional wellbeing, making it an invaluable tool for those seeking holistic healing. This is yoga’s way of helping us move stuck emotions through the body, reminding us: nothing is permanent.

Bridging Ancient Wisdom with Modern Science

Modern research is beginning to confirm what ancient traditions like TCM, Ayurveda, and Yoga have been saying for centuries: emotions are not just in the mind—they live in the body, they’re deeply tied to our brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol shape how we feel every day.

• Dopamine is the “feel-good” chemical. It’s released when we experience joy, success, or reward—motivating us to seek more of what makes us happy.

• Serotonin supports mood balance and emotional stability. When levels are steady, we feel calm, resilient, and connected. Low levels are linked with mood disorders.

• Cortisol is the stress hormone. In short bursts, it helps us respond to challenges. But when it stays high for too long, it fuels anxiety, tension, and burnout.

Our emotions are guided by these chemical messengers—reminding us that body and mind are inseparable [read more: Your Subconscious Speak In Emotion].

One landmark study published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) mapped out how emotions are felt in specific areas of the body. Researchers found that anger, sadness, fear, happiness, and other emotions create distinct bodily sensation maps that are consistent across cultures. For example, anger often activates the chest and arms, while sadness creates heaviness in the chest and deactivation in the limbs.

Books like The Body Keeps the Score (Bessel van der Kolk), Waking the Tiger (Peter Levine), and Emotional Anatomy (Stanley Keleman) also highlight how unresolved emotions and trauma manifest in physical tension, posture, and even chronic illness.

This aligns with ancient wisdom:

• TCM links anger to the liver, grief to the lungs, fear to the kidneys, and so on.

• Ayurveda explains how dosha imbalances express as specific emotional patterns.

• Yoga remind us that emotions are energy in motion (prana or qi) flowing through the body.

Together, science and tradition point to one truth: when we don’t process emotions, they get “stuck” in our body. And just like animals shake off stress after danger, humans too need ways—movement, breath, awareness—to release emotions before they solidify into imbalance.

Embracing a Holistic Approach to Emotions

Emotions are not just “in the mind”—they live in the body, the breath, and the nervous system. Modern science confirms what ancient traditions have long taught: when emotions flow, we heal; when they stagnate, we suffer.

Here are a few practices you can try:

1. For Anger (Liver / Pitta): Try cooling breaths (sitali pranayama), writing down your frustrations, or dynamic movement like shaking.

2. For Grief (Lungs / Kapha): Practice chest-opening poses, deep sighing breaths, or journaling.

3. For Fear (Kidneys / Vata): Ground with child’s pose, slow belly breathing, or walking barefoot on earth.

4. For Worry (Spleen): Place hands on belly, breathe into the center, and repeat: I am supported.

5. For Joy (Heart): Practice gratitude journaling or loving-kindness meditation.

And here is reflection practice you can try:

1. Which emotion do I notice most often in my body right now—anger, sadness, fear, grief, worry, or joy?

2. Where do I feel it in my body? (Chest, belly, throat, head, etc.)

3. What might this emotion be trying to tell me or protect me from?

4. How can I give it space to move—through breath, movement, or self-expression—without judgment?

By seeing emotions as allies rather than enemies, we can use practices like yoga, breathwork, hypnotherapy, or simply shaking off tension—like animals do after stress—to restore balance. Healing begins when we listen, release, and allow emotions to move through us.