The word “aggression” most definitely has negative connotations these days. And not without reason. When we say that someone is “behaving aggressively,” we usually mean that they are threatening violence to get their own way.
But, back in the early days of psychology, in the times of Sigmund Freud and Wilhelm Reich, the word “aggression” actually had a different meaning. It simply referred to our capacity to overcome stumbling blocks and limitations.
Say we have an exciting idea, and resolve to make it happen. The reality is that we will likely face some level of resistance as we try to bring our idea into full manifestation.
It could be something subtle, like a friend not appearing as enthusiastic as we would like them to be, when we tell them about it.
Or it could be a sense of hopelessness we fall into after pitching our idea to ten potential investors, none of whom respond positively. The bottom line is that we give up.
Our natural aggression is what keeps us from collapsing when we meet challenges.
Okay, so our friend didn’t seem too excited. Okay, so those guys weren’t interested in putting in money. We check in with ourselves. Actually, we still believe in our idea. We need to keep going.
For some people, the sense of being snubbed serves to drive them forwards. “l’ll show you!” they resolve, gritting their teeth.
This is okay. It’s functional and can work.
But, to my mind, it is better to simply have enough natural aggressive drive within you to keep you moving forwards with stuff that you genuinely want to do, setbacks regardless.
Aggression is rooted in our body and especially in the area of our belly and pelvis. Most of us have restrained the full range of movements in these areas. In addition, many of us have unnatural levels of holding in the area of our shoulders and shoulder blades. There are Bioenergetic and Reichian exercises that we can do to start to unblock these areas and so restore our natural aggression.
Let’s take a look. On my YouTube channel, I have three exercises that are ideal for what we want.
Firstly, the “Right-to-Exist” exercise. This great movement both activates our pelvic area and breaks up the “face mask” most of us keep on. It helps us to access our natural animal self when we need it. Build it up until you can perform it full-on for fifteen minutes.
Secondly, Pelvic Flicking - a Reichian exercise, done lying down on the mat. Like the Right-to-Exist exercise, by increasing the level of movement in the pelvic, it gives us this sense of atavistic energy and freedom.
And, finally, Teenager Release, which is great for the shoulder area and the sense of a “weight of responsibility” from the past that we are carrying around and blocking us from moving forwards.
Use these exercises to unblock your natural aggression. And bring your gifts and insights fully out into the world!
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Exercises needed urgently here, sent at exactly the right time. Synchronicity at its best!
Although these exercises are challenging, especially psychologically (What will other people think? What will I feel about myself?), they are great for your personal development!
I think that getting past resistance is crucial in this modern world, where collapse and giving up almost seem acceptable.
Perhaps it's because we lost the hunter-gatherer natural order. Back then, not getting what you set out to accomplish could mean, well, death!