Instructor Training Manual: Releasing Emotional Blockages through Bodywork and Acupressure

This document is designed for instructors who have already developed foundational skills in providing comfort and support through bodywork during breathwork sessions. You should already be familiar with offering a reassuring touch to areas such as the forehead, shoulders, chest, belly, hips, legs, and feet, or by simply holding a participant’s hand. These foundational techniques are essential for establishing trust, safety, and connection with participants.

In this guide, we delve deeper into advanced bodywork techniques, focusing on specific areas of the body where gentle pressure or touch can help release trapped emotions and tension. These techniques aim to support participants in accessing and releasing deeper layers of emotional and physical trauma.

As a general guideline, always begin with the foundational practices mentioned above, building a sense of safety and grounding before attempting the techniques outlined here. Avoid jumping straight into these more targeted methods, as they require a participant to feel fully safe, open, and ready for deeper emotional release.

When using bodywork, it is important to be mindful of the pressure exerted. If unsure, practice on yourself or a friend/family member to get their feedback. Use different pressures varying from a light touch to a deeper touch to get an idea of what would be appropriate in a session. Some body areas will be more sensitive, so this needs to be considered. 

Be mindful of the more intimate areas of the body; face, abdomen, pelvis, hips etc, where the individuals may feel more vulnerable (both physically and emotionally) when this area is being touched.

Use your thumbs and middle fingers when applying pressure to specific areas on the neck, face, wrists and ankles. For larger areas, use additional fingers and parts of the hand.

Method 1 for applying pressure;

  • Start gently with a light touch using either a thumb or middle finger

  • Slowly increase the firmness of the pressure

  • Once an appropriately firm pressure has been achieved, hold it for a few moments, then slowly lighten this pressure - all the time keeping contact with the body 

  • This can be done in time with the breath

  • This method can be repeated a few times if felt it is needed

  • When it is time to ‘break’ the contact with the body, slowly begin to decrease the pressure by bringing your finger or thumb slowly away from the body

Method 2 for applying pressure on larger areas of the body;

  • Place your fingers/hand on the area needing release

  • As the individual exhales, apply appropriate pressure to area

  • Lighten the touch as the individual inhales

  • Repeat if needed

  • When it is time to ‘break’ the contact with the body, slowly begin to decrease the pressure by bringing your fingers or hand slowly away from the body

1. Head / Base of the Skull

Associated Emotional Blocks: Mental overload, overthinking, frequent headaches or migraines.

When to apply pressure: During sessions with individuals experiencing persistent mental fatigue or excessive worry.

Release Technique: Cradle the back of the head in your hands with your thumbs near the top of the head. Place your middle fingers on either side of the spine – you’ll find a little dip at the base of the skull (Head diagram). Use the method 1 to provide a slow release with each exhale.

Result: This helps to alleviate headaches, reduce overthinking, and clear mental congestion.

2. Jaw Tension / Teeth Grinding

Associated Emotional Blocks: Anger, frustration, inability to express true feelings.

When to apply pressure: When participants display signs of suppressed anger or clenched jaws.

Release Technique: Referring to the image (Jaw diagram), use Method 1 to apply gentle, yet firm pressure along the jawline.

Result: Releases pent-up frustration and facilitates the expression of emotions that have been held back.

3. Shoulders / Neck

Associated Emotional Blocks: Long-term stress, excessive responsibilities, lack of social support.

When to apply pressure: When the participant expresses feelings of overwhelm or displays tension in the shoulders.

Release Technique: Apply deep pressure across the top of the shoulders and base of the neck (Shoulder diagram). This can be combined with gentle stretching or rotation of the neck.

Result: Reduces long-term stress, eases the sense of carrying too much responsibility, and promotes a feeling of support and release.

4. Wrists

Associated Emotional Blocks: Burnout, overworking as a stress response, wrist pain, tingling in hands, or carpal tunnel.

When to apply pressure: For participants who express feelings of burnout or physical wrist pain.

Release Technique: Use Method 1 to focus on the two acupressure points in the diagram (Wrist diagram).

Result: Eases the physical manifestations of burnout and helps release the need to overwork, promoting balance.

5. Chest / Heart

Associated Emotional Blocks: Grief, sorrow, sadness, and emotional distress cause unexplained chest palpitations.

When to apply pressure: When participants show signs of heartache or emotional heaviness.

Release Technique: Place your hand gently on the midline or centre of the body, just below the space where the ribs begin to separate (Chest 2 diagram). This can be a very painful or sensitive area, so consider using a light pressure or merely provide warmth with your touch. Use Method 2, with the index and middle fingers together. A light touch can also be used higher up the chest on the sternum (Chest 1 diagram). This can allow for deep emotional releases like crying or sighing. 

Result: Releases grief and heart-centred sadness, creating space for emotional healing.

6. Stomach / Gut

Associated Emotional Blocks: Fear, anxiety, and worry which can be causing unexplained gut issues and food sensitivities.

When to apply pressure: When participants experience digestive discomfort or exhibit signs of anxiety.

Release Technique: Using open hands, with palms down, apply gentle pressure around the upper and lower abdomen. The warmth of the hands will also help with the release.

Result: Promotes the release of fear and worry, easing gut-related symptoms and restoring balance.

7. Hips / Pelvis

Associated Emotional Blocks: Unresolved trauma, emotional stagnation, relationship challenges, feelings of instability or loss of trust.

When to Apply Pressure: When participants carry emotional tension related to life transitions, relational difficulties, or feel a sense of “stuckness” in the pelvic region.

Release Technique: Using open hands with palms down, apply gentle pressure around the hips and pelvis in slow, deliberate movements, focusing on easing tension and encouraging relaxation. The warmth of the hands supports the release process, fostering a sense of grounding and emotional flow.

Result: Helps release stored tension and emotional blockages, encouraging participants to reconnect with feelings of stability, self-trust, and personal empowerment.

8. Hands / Fingers

Associated Emotional Blocks: Control issues, feeling “out of touch” with reality or others, anxiety, and tension.

When to apply pressure: When participants express a need for control or experience tension in their hands or fingers.

Release Technique: Gently massage the hands and apply pressure to the base of each finger, working to release any gripping or holding sensations. One area to consider is detailed in the diagram (Hands diagram).

Result: Promotes a sense of letting go and encourages participants to feel more connected to their surroundings and others.

9. Lower Back

Associated Emotional Blocks: Financial stress, fear of losing control, lack of support or security.

When to apply pressure: When participants experience tension or pain in the lower back, often related to feelings of insecurity.

Release Technique: Apply deep pressure along the lower back. This can also be combined with light stretching or rotations.

(Or – ) Apply pressure simultaneously to the following point using Method 1. This point is located on the outside (lateral side) of the foot.

Result: Eases feelings of insecurity, financial stress, and lack of support, promoting stability and confidence.

10. Feet / Ankles

Associated Emotional Blocks: Fear of moving forward, resistance to change, feeling stuck or ungrounded.

When to apply pressure: When participants experience discomfort or tightness in their feet or ankles or feel emotionally stagnant.

Release Technique: With your thumb and middle finger use Method 1 and simultaneously apply pressure to the top and the sole of the feet as per the diagrams (Feet diagrams 1& 2) – ensure to use the point labelled as LV3. This encourages participants to focus on grounding themselves.

Result: Encourages the release of fear associated with change, and helps participants feel more grounded and ready to move forward.