The emotional body plays an important role in the evolution of the human soul. People entrenched in misery, past grief, emotional trauma have to rid themselves of these feelings to be able to flower within. Bhakti yoga is a practice to work at the manomaya kosh - the emotional body. Science has proved the therapeutic use of music to soothe passions and this particular form of yoga uses music as one of the techniques to open out the anahata, the chakra concerned with emotions. Indian classical music has perfected this with different ragas for different periods of the day and for different seasons since both effect mood swings in a person. The various notes of music can influence the chakras of receptive listeners. The beauty of this technique is the same music may work to elevate the mood of the depressed while soothe the nerves of an agitated listener balancing two opposite emotions. Whether personally singing or playing an instrument or merely listening to others the soul of the practitioner expresses its yearning for the divine to purify itself.

Repetitive chanting of potent mantras or sound vibrations is another common practice in bhakti yoga. These ancient mantras were revealed to yogis' deep in meditation and contain within them the seed of healing remedies. When this is given to a seeker by a master, they become doubly powerful. By repeating these constantly the practitioner may induce a trance like state creating a climate conducive to release powerful suppressed feelings often without any physical manifestations.

Movement is another technique of the bhakti yoga. Dancing to music, gently swaying and turning to an internal rhythm even without the external help of music, flowing in the postures of the surya namaskar are all beneficial in releasing pent up emotions and accessing the joy within.

As the emotional body expands the practitioner is able to forgive others and one-self for real or perceived wrongdoings. Able truly to now surrender to divine will the yogi can be said to have crossed a difficult hurdle on the path of yoga. Ridding the psyche of restrictive passions the yogi steeped in devotion moves on to higher spiritual pursuits.