Why emotions surface during yoga?

Yes — there is a plausible neurophysiological explanation. Yoga, especially slow breathing and prolonged stretches, increases vagal tone and shifts the nervous system from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) dominance toward parasympathetic regulation. When defensive tension patterns soften, suppressed emotional memory networks — stored across limbic structures like the amygdala and hippocampus — can become more accessible. Additionally, deep diaphragmatic breathing alters CO₂ balance and interoceptive awareness, heightening sensitivity to internal sensations that may be interpreted emotionally. It’s not mystical; it’s autonomic recalibration combined with increased body–brain integration.