Wilhelm Reich 7 tension belts

Dr. Wilhelm Reich, the opening of the belts and pleasures

Dropping the Guardrails: Understanding the 7 Tension Zones and the Impact of Sexual Trauma

Do you want to experience greater enjoyment of life and get rid of the feeling of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Or maybe you’ve noticed how tensions build up in your body when you find yourself in stressful situations or holding your breath in tense situations. These physical reactions can be more than just nervous tremors; they can be signs that deeper bodywork is needed.

What is Bodywork?

Bodywork is a concept coined by Wilhelm Reich, an Austrian psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He was a student of Sigmund Freud, but later developed his own ideas, which differed significantly from traditional psychoanalytic theory. Reich argued that people develop physical and psychological defences as a result of various traumas and societal pressures. These defences cause chronic tension and muscle contraction throughout the body. This is why he created a method he called “bodywork”.

According to Reich, tension belts form in our bodies as a defence against emotional pain and other threats, but they also limit the human ability to experience pleasure and authentic emotions. This chronic muscular tension is thought to manifest itself in certain patterns in the body and contribute to various physical and psychological illnesses. These areas, known as tension zones, restrict our energy flow and limit our emotional expression.

In trauma release therapy we work on releasing these tension belts.

Here’s a closer look at the 7 stress zones and how they can manifest:

Eye Segment 1 : Tension in the head, forehead, eyes and ears can indicate difficulty concentrating or overloading the senses when the senses are engaged.
2. Mouth Segment: clenched jaws, clenched teeth or tight facial muscles can indicate repressed anger, frustration or difficulty expressing yourself.
3. Neck Segment: A stiff neck or difficulty turning the head can symbolize resistance to change or fear of intimacy.
Chest Segment 4 : Restricted breathing, shallow breathing or hunched shoulders may be associated with unexpressed grief, sadness or difficulty letting go.
5. Diaphragmatic Segment: breathing difficulties due to a tight diaphragm may be related to suppressed anger or a feeling of being suffocated.
6. Abdominal Segment: Holding a tight stomach may indicate fear of vulnerability or difficulty trusting others.
7. Pelvic Area Segment.

The Biodynamic Breathing and Trauma Release Technique is designed to release the tension zones. Through gentle techniques and breathing, clients can release physical contractions and access greater life force energy.

This process can lead to:

• A deeper connection with your emotions and the sensations you feel in your body.
• Increased self-awareness.
• Improved ability to express yourself authentically.
• A greater sense of relaxation and well-being.

1. SILMAD

How the Eye Strap Affects Emotional Health: Trauma Relief and Bodywork through the Psychoanalysis of Wilhelm Reich

The eyes are not only our windows to the world, but also a powerful gateway to our inner world, where many emotions and experiences are stored. Trauma release and bodywork will help us to better understand how emotions can become trapped in the eye tension and how to release it to achieve emotional health and well-being.

According to Reich’s teachings, the eye area can become a place where emotional tensions and traumatic experiences become embedded. We may experience it as tension, cramps or even limitations in our vision and expression. These tensions can be the body’s way of protecting itself from trauma that we may not be aware of.

Trauma release and bodywork in the eye area is a powerful tool to release trapped emotions and restore the body’s natural balance. Breathing and special exercises can help to open the eye’s eye-strain girdle and let out the tensions and emotions we hold inside. This process can bring not only physical relief, but also emotional release and a deep connection with your inner wisdom.

It is important to understand that the eye belt stores not only negative emotions, but also vitality and potential. Trauma liberation through bodywork allows us to discover and release both negative and positive emotions and create space for holistic wellbeing.

Following Wilhelm Reich’s legacy of trauma relief and bodywork opens the door to emotional health and balance, helping us to understand and release emotions that are trapped in our bodies. It gives us the opportunity to live more fully and freely, discovering a deep connection with ourselves and the world around us.

Many different emotions can be stored in the eye area, which can affect our emotional and physical well-being. Based on the work of Wilhelm Reich, we can observe that the following emotions can become fixed in the tension of the eyes:

1. Anxiety: anxiety can become embedded in the eye area, especially in relation to loss of control or the unknown. This can be manifested by eye strain or spasms and limited ability to see and perceive clearly.
2. Strabismus : Strabismus can cause tension and pressure in the eye area, which can manifest itself as pain, aching or discomfort. The eyes may become tight and harder to move.
3. Feeling of guilt: Guilt can be stored in the eye area, especially if we have been self-critical of ourselves or others, or if we have experienced traumas related to guilt. This may be manifested by drooping or collapsing eyes.
4. Shame: Shame can be reflected in the eye area, making our expression closed or wide. The eyes may become avoidant, trying to avoid direct contact with others.
5. Traumatic memories: traumatic experiences can become embedded in the eye area, causing tension and cramping. It can also manifest itself, for example, in closing our eyes or distractedness when we are trying to avoid reactivating traumatic memories.

These emotions can all become embedded in the eye area and affect our emotional and physical health. Trauma release and bodywork allow us to discover and release those trapped emotions, restoring the body’s natural balance and helping us to live more fully and freely.

CHAPTER 2

Trauma Relief in the South: the Role of Breathing and Bodywork

Dr Wilhelm Reich’s psychoanalytic approach has opened the door to a deeper understanding of how emotions can become embedded in the body. Trauma release therapists, who focus on breathing and bodywork, use this heritage to help people release emotional tensions that may be embedded in different parts of the body.

The jaw region is one important place where emotional blocks can become embedded, affecting our communication and self-expression. Based on the work of Dr. Wilhelm Reich, we can identify the following emotions that can be stored in the jaw region:

1. Tense anger and frustration: tense emotions of anger and frustration can become embedded in the jaw area, especially if the person has had to suppress or deny their feelings. This can be manifested as tightness or spasm of the jaw and can also cause jaw joint pain.
2. Fear and anxiety: if you feel fear and anxiety, you may experience tension or cramps in the jaw area, which can make movement of the jaw restricted or difficult.
3. Guilt and shame: Guilt and shame can also become embedded in the chin area, affecting, for example, a person’s ability to open their mouth or express their thoughts and feelings clearly.
4. Communication difficulties: If a person has difficulties communicating or expressing themselves, these emotions can become embedded in the chin area, causing tension or cramping around the mouth and chin.

Trauma release through breathing and bodywork can help to discover and release those trapped emotions in the jaw area. Breathing exercises and mindful movements can help to relax tension in the jaw area and restore the body’s natural balance and ability to express itself.

So, by working with the jawline through trauma release and bodywork, therapists can help people to discover and release emotional patterns, and to regain fluid communication and self-expression.

3. KAEL

Bodywork and Breathing Therapy: Trauma Relief in the Cervical Neck Area

Dr. Wilhelm Reich’s principles therapists, who focus on bodywork and breathwork, are interested in how emotions can get stuck in the body and how to release them. The neck area is an important place where emotional tensions and traumas can accumulate, affecting both body and mind.

Looking at the legacy of Dr. Wilhelm Reich, we can see that the following emotions can become embedded in the neck area:

1. Fear and anxiety: the neck is a place where emotions of fear and anxiety can accumulate, especially in situations where a person feels threatened or insecure. This can manifest itself in neck tension or cramping and can also cause painful sensations.
2. Repressed anger: When a person has had to suppress or repress their anger, the emotions associated with it can become embedded in the neck area. This can manifest itself in neck tension or pressure and can also lead to movement restrictions.
3. Emotions related to shame and self-esteem: the neck area can be a place where emotions related to shame and self-esteem accumulate, especially if the person has experienced humiliation or insult. This can be manifested in neck tension or cramping and can also affect body language and self-expression.
4. Traumatic memories: the neck area can be a place where traumatic memories and experiences become embedded, especially if they are related to physical danger or assault. This can be manifested in neck tension or cramping and can also affect breathing and movement.

Trauma release through bodywork and breath therapy can be a powerful way to discover and release those trapped emotions in the neck area. Breathing exercises, relaxation and mindful body movements can help to open up the tension in the neck and restore the body’s natural balance and well-being.

So, by working with the neck area through trauma release and bodywork, therapists can help people discover and release emotional patterns and restore the body’s natural mobility and capacity for self-expression.

Here’s a simple exercise you can do yourself to help relax the neck area and release trapped emotions:

1. Sit comfortably: sit on a chair or the floor in a comfortable position where you feel relaxed and supported. Make sure your back is straight but not tense and your shoulders are relaxed.
2. Deep breathing: Start with deep breathing, inhaling slowly and deeply through the nose. Feel the air fill your lungs and your stomach expand as you breathe in.
3. Relax the chin area: as you inhale, lift the shoulders slightly upwards, then relax them down. At the same time, relax the chin area, letting the chin drop freely without straining.
4. Feel the tension in your neck. Don’t worry if you feel a slight discomfort, it’s natural.
5. Release tension: exhale slowly and in a controlled manner through the mouth while releasing tension in the neck. Imagine the tension and heaviness leaving your body as you exhale.
6. Repeat: Repeat this exercise several times, concentrating on relaxing and releasing tension in the neck with each inhalation and exhalation. You can also experiment to see if by gently moving your neck and head, you can find additional relief.

This simple exercise can help to relax the tension in the neck area and relieve any emotional tension that may be stuck there. Regular practice can help to improve the well-being of the body and mind, and create balance and self-expression.

4. SWEET

Healing the Heart: the Role of Bodywork and Breathing in Trauma Relief

The heart is not only a physical organ of the body, but also a centre of emotional health, where both love and pain are anchored. Dr Wilhelm Reich’s psychoanalytic principles have opened doors to understanding how emotions and traumas can become embedded in the body and how they can be released. Trauma release therapists, using bodywork and breathing, apply this heritage to help people discover and release emotional blocks in the heart area.

The heart region is where many emotions and traumas can accumulate, affecting our ability to love and be open. According to the ideas of Dr. Wilhelm Reich, we can notice that the following emotions can become fixed in the heart area:

1. Love and Joy: The heart region is a natural centre for love and joy. This is where our warmest emotions of closeness, joy and connection gather.
2. Trauma and pain: Unfortunately, the heart area can also be a place where traumas and painful emotions become embedded, especially in relation to experiences of loss, abandonment or heartache. These emotions can limit our ability to open up and trust.
3. Fear and anxiety: emotions of fear and anxiety can also become embedded in the heart area, especially in relation to future uncertainty or unexpected changes. It can affect our ability to relax and enjoy the moment.
4. Feeling guilty and self-judgement: when we feel guilty or bad, it can also affect the heart area, causing tension or cramping. It can limit our ability to love and accept ourselves.

Trauma release through bodywork and breathing can be a powerful way to discover and release those trapped emotions in the heart area. Deep breathing exercises, relaxation and mindful movements can help to open up the tension in the heart and restore the body’s natural balance and openness to the heart.

So, by working with the heart area through trauma release and bodywork, therapists can help people to discover and release emotional patterns, and restore an open heart and the ability to love themselves and others.

5. TALJE

Healing the Midsection: the importance of bodywork and breathing therapy in trauma relief

The middle part of the body, often associated with the waist area, is an important area that connects the upper and lower parts of the body and carries a sense of wholeness and balance. Dr Wilhelm Reich’s psychoanalytic approach has deepened our understanding of the storage of emotions and traumas in the body and the importance of releasing them. Trauma release therapists, who focus on bodywork and breathing, draw on this heritage to help people discover and release emotional blocks in the core.

The central part of the body, being the mainstay of the body, can be a place where many emotional experiences and traumas accumulate, affecting both our physical and emotional state. In the light of the teachings of Dr. Wilhelm Reich, we can note that the following emotions can become entrenched in the middle:

1. Strength and balance: the lower back is the physical centre of the body that supports our walking, balance and movement. This is where the emotions associated with confidence, strength and stability accumulate.
2. Anxiety and stress. It can cause tension or cramping in the diaphragm, for example, and affect digestion and body functions.
3. Emotional suppression: as the waist area is associated with both physical and emotional balance, emotional charges and blocks can become trapped here, which can prevent the free flow of energy through the body.
4. Self-expression and creativity: the Talje region is also associated with self-expression and creativity. Fixed emotions can limit our ability to express ourselves freely and creatively, and thus create limits to our personal growth and self-discovery.

Trauma release through bodywork and breathing allows the discovery and release of these emotional patterns that are stuck in the body at the core. Deep breathing exercises, movement and mindful body practices can help to unlock tensions in the core of the body and restore the body’s natural balance and capacity for self-expression.

So, by working with the core of the body through trauma release and bodywork, therapists can help people to discover and release emotional patterns locked in the body and restore the body’s natural balance and vitality.

6. TEXT

The Depth of Emotions: How the Digestive System Reflects Our Feelings and Thoughts

The digestive system, often known as the digestive tract or digestive system, is an important part of our physical health, but little is known about its connection to emotions. Dr. Wilhelm Reich’s psychoanalytic approach has helped open the door to understanding how the digestive system can reflect our inner feelings and thoughts, and how emotions can become embedded in the body.

The digestive system is more than just a system that processes our food. It is also part of our nervous system, which is closely linked to our emotions and mental well-being. According to Dr Wilhelm Reich’s theories, emotional experiences and traumas can become embedded in the digestive system, thereby affecting digestion and overall health.

How exactly does it work? Here are some of the ways the digestive system can reflect our emotions:

1. Stress and digestion: stress can affect digestion, causing digestive discomfort such as abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea. This is linked to the nervous system’s response to stress.
2. Anxiety and stomach upset: Anxiety can lead to a feeling in the stomach, often referred to as “butterflies in the stomach”. This is linked to the sensitivity of the digestive system to emotional influences.
3. Emotional eating habits: emotions can influence our eating behaviour, causing for example emotional overeating or, conversely, loss of appetite. This, in turn, can affect digestive health and function.
4. Emotional blocks: according to the ideas of Dr. Wilhelm Reich, emotional blocks and traumas can become embedded in the digestive system, restricting the free flow of energy through the body and causing digestive disorders.

So how can we support our digestive system and keep it healthy? One way is through therapies such as bodywork and breathwork, which can help to discover and release stuck emotional patterns in the digestive system. In addition, it is important to practise stress reduction techniques such as meditation and massage, and to ensure a balanced diet and regular exercise.

The digestive system is more deeply connected to our emotions and mental health than we might think. Dr. Wilhelm Reich’s teachings and modern approaches to health help us understand how body and mind are interconnected and how we can support our overall well-being through emotional balance and digestive health.

7. LEGS AND PELVIS

Feet and Pelvis Area: Powerful Centres Carrying Emotional Patterns

The feet and pelvic area, although the lower part of the body, plays a vital role in our emotional and physical well-being. The theories of Dr. Wilhelm Reich and modern therapeutic approaches suggest that the feet and pelvic region may be anchored in a number of emotional patterns that affect the balance of our body and mind.

1. Grounding and security. When we feel firm and grounded, our feet are firmly on the ground and the pelvic region is open and relaxed. However, emotional trauma or stress can cause tension and uncertainty in this area.
2. Emotional receptivity: the pelvic and leg region can be a place where emotional blocks and patterns become attached, limiting our ability to feel and receive emotions. If this area is constricted or tense, it can cause emotional numbness or stiffness.
3. Natural energy flow: according to the teachings of Dr. Wilhelm Reich, the feet and pelvic region is an important energy flow centre in the body. When this area is relaxed and open, energy can move freely through the body, supporting our overall well-being. But closed emotional patterns can restrict the free flow of this energy.
4. Accumulation of stress and trauma: The area of the feet and pelvis can be a place where stress and trauma accumulate, especially if they are related to past traumatic experiences or physical danger. Such accumulated emotional stress can cause tension and discomfort in the area.

So how can we support the legs and pelvis and release stuck emotional patterns? One way is through bodywork and breathwork, which can help to discover and release emotional blocks and restore the body’s natural balance and energy flow. In addition, it is important to practice mindfulness and self-care, which helps us to connect with our bodies and to recognise and release stuck emotional patterns.

In summary, the feet and pelvic region are important centres for balance and well-being of our body and mind. By understanding the connection between these areas and emotional patterns, we can better understand and support our overall wellbeing through emotional balance and mindful body care.