One of the underlying theories in body psychotherapy is the concept of character strategies. The central notion is that developmental processes and difficulties are expressed in our body, particularly through our muscles. Our body structure tells the story of our lives and the challenges we have faced, as well as the answers we have found to them.
The character strategy I am writing about in this blog is the masochistic structure. The structure mainly develops between the ages of two and three, whereby the child’s will is broken and her needs for assertion and independence are squashed. Thereby her will becomes associated with pain and a critical internal dialogue is developed. An adult with this character strategy sacrifices herself, moves into shame easily and carries a lot of resentment. The body is a like a pressure cooker, as the person has to hold it all in. This kind of person easily gives in, but becomes bitter about it. She helps others and is a very loyal person, but at the same time she judges others and particularly herself. She is supportive, but also abandons herself. She can be extremely stubborn. This person will experience complex and difficult relationships with authoritative figures, whereby authority is obeyed, but also hated at the same time.
The message this person has internalised is that she can’t be herself and that she has to control the way she is seen and perceived. There is a huge fear around letting go and also about creating mess. She is so afraid of disapproval and loss that she can’t express her own needs and wants for fear of disappointing or upsetting another person, especially authority.
The body is characterised by a large and strong upper back, broad shoulders and tight buttock muscles. Overall, there is an enormous amount of tension in the body, which if released can provide the masochistic structure a huge amount of energy and aliveness.
The masochistic structure can sustain high amounts of pressure, is attuned to the needs of others, dependable, trustworthy and can be leaned against. She is strong-willed and at times can be extremely stubborn.
The character strategy I am writing about in this blog is the masochistic structure. The structure mainly develops between the ages of two and three, whereby the child’s will is broken and her needs for assertion and independence are squashed. Thereby her will becomes associated with pain and a critical internal dialogue is developed. An adult with this character strategy sacrifices herself, moves into shame easily and carries a lot of resentment. The body is a like a pressure cooker, as the person has to hold it all in. This kind of person easily gives in, but becomes bitter about it. She helps others and is a very loyal person, but at the same time she judges others and particularly herself. She is supportive, but also abandons herself. She can be extremely stubborn. This person will experience complex and difficult relationships with authoritative figures, whereby authority is obeyed, but also hated at the same time.
The message this person has internalised is that she can’t be herself and that she has to control the way she is seen and perceived. There is a huge fear around letting go and also about creating mess. She is so afraid of disapproval and loss that she can’t express her own needs and wants for fear of disappointing or upsetting another person, especially authority.
The body is characterised by a large and strong upper back, broad shoulders and tight buttock muscles. Overall, there is an enormous amount of tension in the body, which if released can provide the masochistic structure a huge amount of energy and aliveness.
The masochistic structure can sustain high amounts of pressure, is attuned to the needs of others, dependable, trustworthy and can be leaned against. She is strong-willed and at times can be extremely stubborn.
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