Have you ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Or perhaps you clench your jaw when stressed, or hold your breath in tense situations. These physical reactions might be more than just nervous habits; they could be signs of something deeper – body armoring.
What is Body Armoring?
Body armoring is a concept introduced by Wilhelm Reich, an Austrian psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He was a student of Sigmund Freud but later developed his own ideas, which diverged significantly from traditional psychoanalytic theory. Reich proposed that individuals develop physical and psychological defense mechanisms in response to various traumas and societal pressures. These defense mechanisms, result in the chronic tension and constriction of muscles throughout the body, creating what he termed “body armoring.”
According to Reich, this body armoring serves as a protective barrier against emotional pain and other threats, but it also restricts the individual’s ability to experience pleasure and authentic emotions. This chronic muscular tension is believed to manifest in specific patterns throughout the body, and to contribute to various physical and psychological ailments. These areas, known as the Belts of Tension, restrict our energy flow and limit our emotional expression. We work with these Belts of Tension in our Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release sessions, and for those new to the concept, we will outline below each of the 7 Belts.
