Rigid
Rigid type
Strong on the outside, reserved on the inside
01Where does this type come from?
- The rigid type usually develops in the phase when the child begins to discover their sexuality.
- If the child experiences frustration or punishment – for example because a parent reacts to the child’s curiosity in a threatening or dismissive way – the need for pleasure and closeness is deeply hurt.
- The child learns: closeness is dangerous.
- It starts to get closeness indirectly – through control, pride or skillful maneuvering.
- The rejection of erotic pleasure is experienced as a rejection of love – and hits their pride right in the heart.
02Energetic state
- The rigid type has a lot of energy. It flows from the center outwards but is stopped at the surface of the body.
- Feelings are there, but they are shown only to a limited extent.
- The limbs are often hot, the muscles tense – especially the long extensor and flexor muscles.
- They are easily excited but hardly express their impulses.
- The eyes are energetically charged – and often carry the look of a broken heart.
03Physical characteristics
- The body is well proportioned, muscular, lively and agile.
- The skin has a healthy color, the eyes shine.
- The pelvic area is pulled back – a sign of held-back sexuality.
- Typical are a hollow back and an accentuated bottom (a “sexy bum”), a straight spine and a head held high – an expression of pride and inner tension.
04Psychological patterns
- The greatest fear of the rigid type is to surrender – and to be betrayed or manipulated in the process.
- Surrender is equated with loss of control, giving in with collapse.
- They hold themselves stiffly, out of pride or aloofness, and believe: if I give in, I will lose myself.
- They have a strong ego position and control their behavior closely: “I am free as long as I don’t surrender.”
- But real discharge is hardly possible – because underneath lie the once-punished needs for pleasure and closeness.
- Rigid people are often ambitious, combative and worldly. They see passivity as weakness.
- They come across as headstrong, proud, sometimes stubborn – and are afraid of making fools of themselves if they let go.
- Still, they have a strong sense of self and can make a lot of themselves – especially when their inner structure opens up.
- They are often successful, like to present themselves and come across as attractive – but surrender is missing, the heart stays closed.
- Men: show-offs of their potency, narcissistic, highly charged sexually – but without real closeness. Women: hysterical, frigid, use sexuality as a defense – show a lot, give little.
- Inner conflict: freedom or surrender to love. “I’ll show it to you, but I won’t give it to you.”
- Sexuality: lots of energy, but no real relaxation; show instead of surrender. Passion, strength and ecstasy are there – but without heart.
- Strengths: self-confidence, physical strength, agility, beauty. When the pattern dissolves, real surrender becomes possible.
- Typical complaints: cancer, colic, accidents (aggression turned inwards), alcoholism, aggressive illnesses.
05Therapy goals
- The goal is to soften the rigid structure so that energy can flow again.
- Control may be released, the heart may open.
- Feelings and sexuality should flow freely – without control.
- Anything that encourages movement and feeling helps, for example pulsation, bodywork, breathing exercises and emotional opening.
- But: rigid types rarely come to therapy. They are convinced of themselves and suffer little – to them, everything seems “fine”.
The other types