Aggression is something that we learn at an early age. With the curbing of our aggression, we also lose part of our life energy and our enthusiasm. The aggression goes underground and appears to some at unexpected moments, as an unguided projectile.
Jung: It is much better to acknowledge the temptation and to surrender to her violence than to try to escape it by means of all kinds of intellectual artifice or emotional judgments.
Have you, like many of us, suppressed your aggression? Then get to know your primeval man and then tame it. What we refuse to acknowledge about ourselves will always find a way out, sometimes in tragic form. The aggression gets a free hand in our subconscious because we have denied it access to our consciousness. By suppressing our aggressive energy, it gains the power to possess us and to erupt. Because we refuse to “have” aggression, aggression “has” us. If we find an acceptable outlet for it, aggression takes on a healthy, playful form and gives us strength and joy in life.
Our challenge is to become aware of our aggressive nature. Not by reaching for violence, but by allowing and expressing this inner energy. That awareness allows us to control this force. Repressing your aggression leads to violence, while the awareness of your aggression can give you “power”, decisiveness and perseverance.
How can we transform aggressive energy, which often manifests itself in the form of hostile behavior and inner anger?
By examining your negative feelings and irritations, you can find out in which situations you have suppressed aggression. During a body-oriented coaching session there is plenty of room to open up to your fantasy and look at your inner turmoil without prejudice. You can also express this emotion through movement, sound and breathing. The emotion seems magnified at first, but that is why it “takes a closer look”. Truly living it through means a milestone in their lives for many men. You explore its origins and discover what your true need is, which has been compromised. It provides guidance to be more in touch with your aggressive side. You gain a foothold in reality and you know how to relate to the world and its violence differently.
Strength measurement during a treatment?
During a treatment we can safely experiment with our bodies, our strength and physical contact. This can be done individually, as part of a playful “hug treatment“. Also with tantra I often work with playful force measurements as an introduction or interruption of the massage. Many men experiment with strength and power in the form of bondage / BDSM. I do not offer this myself, but I can refer this to colleagues.
What is Playfight?
You can playfully experiment with your strength and aggressive energy with an opponent, with a group of men, in the form of a "Playfight". In a playfight ritual, the circle of attentive viewers is central. Watching the game is at least as important as the 1-on-1 confrontation with a self-chosen opponent, which takes place in the middle. You have a direct connection with your opponent and him in his vulnerability, dedication, beauty and strength. Usually the ritual ends with a joint contact or relaxation exercise.
Be in Nijmegen Playfight Rituals organized within the Meetup Group “Men in Touch NL“. The meetings are in Cordium and are accompanied by Jean Smeets.
Playfight rituals are also organized in Amsterdam by members of the Euro-Faeries and Stretch community, among others by Love Dragon in Okido Yoga.
