Let It Out With Tantrum Yoga

Children are often the best teachers. They remind us to laugh and play, and help us to see the world through their innocent, hopeful eyes instead of our sometimes tired and jaded ones. Not yet privy to the world of acceptable social behavior, when kids have had enough and are tired or overstimulated they let you know, loudly and emphatically, with a temper tantrum. The temper tantrum serves to release steam and emotion, and is usually followed by a blissfully quiet calm. Recognizing the need for adults to also experience this sort of cathartic release, yet knowing it will most likely never be acceptable for adults to yell, stomp their feet and cry in most social situations, yoga teacher Hemalayaa has added another dimension to her yoga classes: Tantrum yoga.

Already known for incorporating aspects of dance into her yoga fusion teaching style, Tantrum Yoga came about naturally in Hemalayaa’s classes as she encouraged students to let out their stresses and frustrations by screaming, yelling, stomping, chest-pounding and, inevitably, laughing. It seems to be working for Hemalayaa herself. “I believe we are emotional beings and there are times we need to express in order to let go of emotion, especially old stuff that is sitting in there, festering. Otherwise it gets stuck in our bodies and could turn into stress, disease, etc.” she told a Los Angeles news program. “I am committed to being in the best state of health I can be in, and if that means I have to (get to) scream every now and then to feel GREAT, I do!”

If you would like to try this unusual and fun therapeutic outlet, check out Hemalayaa’s website for upcoming classes.