The process of emotional release is based on an idea that assumes that everyone is born with tremendous intellectual potential, natural zest, and lovingness, but that these qualities have become blocked and obscured, in adults especially, as a result of accumulated distress experiences that result from fear, loss pain, anger, embarrassment etc. And that, obviously, starts early in our lives.

Certified Life Coach, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Coach, and Aafiyah Practitioner, Razia Pilodia says the process of emotional release healing is very easy. NLP, by definition, is the learned skill of excellent communication–both with yourself, and with others. Pilodia says that when we accumulate negative emotions in our bodies, we need to get rid of them, and release them. She says sometimes people can emotionally heal on their own by doing things for themselves, for example, eating comfort food, or going on long walks. However, for most people it’s very difficult to get rid of emotional traumas, and to heal. What Pilodia practices is an exchange between two people, where you help the person suffering to get rid of all the negative emotions and energy.

The process of emotional release entails various techniques, and works differently for children and adults. So, now, everyone is faced with the COVID pandemic and it has resulted in lots of different emotions in different people. Children experience anxiety because their parents have a sense of uncertainty regarding the pandemic. The pandemic has caused negativity and death. South Africans are feeling uneasy and the same is being felt globally. For emotional healing and to release the emotional stress, Polodia, says clients are put through a process. The process for children, for instance, is coaching them through a technique of drawing. Polodia said that everything needed to be released from one’s mind, and panned down, thus enabling one to disassociate from a problem in order to overcome it.

While this process does require professional guidance, people can also help each other, says Polodia. She said, “Parents can help children deal with trauma, or you can help a sibling deal with trauma, by being patient and understanding. Don’t pressure them and force them to talk. Do not ask them to talk about an issue if they don’t want to.” She added, “ You can help them by keeping their minds occupied, and by helping them to relax.” However, Polodia stressed that that would not work for everyone and that some people would need professional intervention, where coaches and psychologists help to get the process in motion.

Further, according to Polodia’s expertise, there are many things one can do to be proactive, concerning fear, loss, pain, anger, embarrassment and so forth, so that one does not have to do an emotional release at the end of each day. She said, “Being Muslim, we believe that we can only heal if Allah Subhana wa Ta’aala wants us to. The same applies for doctors etc.” Polodia said, “Only if Allah Subhana wa Ta’aala wants you to heal will you become better. Healing only comes from Him.” She says that she personally finds it very effective encouraging clients to perform Tahajjud salaah, and to go back to basics, “If there is something that’s bothering you, before doing any of NLP techniques or Aafiyah techniques, go back to basics – talk to your Creator, create alone time, practice mindfulness, do dhikr. Polodia says that these practices, done daily, can help one to not become caught up in an emotional tangle.

Umm Muhammed Umar