De-armouring is a term that was coined by psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich in the 1930s. It is a somatic treatment that works with all the different systems of the body, apart from the brain. The treatment includes soft touch, sound, breath techniques and energy work.
“De-armouring is a way to release negative memories, emotions, beliefs and self-image.”
Armour is created from past experiences, such as stress, repetitive negative thoughts and big or small ‘t’ trauma. When the body doesn’t express what it wanted or was primed to do at the moment, for example, push away a perpetrator; get angry with someone who crossed a boundary or say no to a parent or caregiver, this action or emotion gets stuck in the body as pain, tension, numbness or energetic blocks.
Over time these constrictions can harden, creating armour in the soft tissue of the body. Each time the memory of the experience is re-triggered, consciously or unconsciously, further contractions occur.
This armour stops the free flow of life-force energy, referred to as ‘qi’ or ‘prana’ in Chinese and Indian medicine, through the body. This can desensitise it to pleasure and pain and can become numb.
De-armouring is a way to release armour and the negative memories, beliefs, self-image and emotions that the body is ready to process. The treatment can also work on releasing physical armour such as tension and blockages.
A treatment to manage stress and overwhelm and regulate the nervous system.
De-armouring is a treatment to help regulate the nervous system as it works with the vagus nerve, the psoas muscle and brainwaves.
The psoas is one of the most important muscles in the body. It is the fight or flight muscle which contracts the most when we are stressed. This treatment helps the body to naturally tremor, which releases, rehydrates and regenerates the psoas. It then allows the body and mind to return to homeostasis.
The vagus nerve represents the main component of the ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic nervous system and the counterbalance to the ‘fight or flight’ sympathetic nervous system. It oversees a vast array of critical bodily functions, including control of mood, immune response, digestion and heart rate. It is also the longest cranial nerve which runs from the brain stem to part of the colon.
A healthy well-balanced brain and nervous system will produce appropriate brain waves, at the appropriate levels, and at the appropriate time. However, people who are anxious or stressed are likely to have decreased alpha waves (relaxed reflection) and increased beta waves (heightened awareness and problem-solving). Anxiousness, chronic stress and feelings of panic can be chemically driven states from an imbalanced and poorly regulated brain.
Reasons you might find it hard to regulate your emotions, body, and nervous system.
Early childhood experiences: Difficult events, traumatic experiences or significant life disruptions can disrupt the development of healthy coping mechanisms and lead to difficulties in managing emotions later in life.
Childhood neglect: When caregivers fail to provide adequate physical or psychological care, it can hinder emotional development. And create a sense of insecurity, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties in forming healthy attachments.
Low levels of invalidation: Invalidation occurs when a person's thoughts, feelings, or experiences are dismissed, ignored, or judged as unworthy or invalid. Over time this can erode self-esteem and make it challenging to express emotions effectively.
Signs you may find it hard to regulate your emotions, body, and nervous system.
Problems in social situations.
Difficulty in being in close proximity to others.
Difficulty in transitioning between activities.
Experience panic attacks, catastrophising, or outbursts
The impulse to grab, throw, or touch objects.
Impatience or difficulty waiting.
Engaging in self-destructive behaviours during emotional distress.
Struggling to bounce back from setbacks or disappointments.
Feeling overwhelmed by emotions frequently.
The benefits of de-armouring are endless and unique to each individual. The treatment can be used to allow you to;
Better respond to challenges and change.
Reduce anxiety, stress and feelings of overwhelm.
Feel more connected to your body, its intuition and wisdom.
Increase energy; improve sleep hygiene, focus and concentration.
Release negative patterns of behaviours including self-sabotage and emotional eating.
Improve self-esteem, self-image and confidence.
Remove negative beliefs and feelings.
Re-sensitisation of the body and the capability to feel more.
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De-armouring uses a combination of different techniques
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Touch
The Gaia Method of De-armouring uses ‘invitation only’ soft touch. It respects the boundaries of the body and never pushes beyond what it is ready for.
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Sound
Sound can be a way to access locked memories, emotions and to release energy blockages from the body.
When the vibration and frequency of a sound meet the same frequency in the tissues of the body it can open frozen energy.
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Breath
Conscious breathing and breathwork bypass the conscious mind and deactivate’s the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). Tantric breathwork is also used to bring the body into a state of bliss. Once the body is in a relaxed state, it can freely express emotions or physical movements that arise.
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Energy
Working with a person's energy is one of the ways to remove armour from the body. Energy, like sound waves, is made up of vibrations and frequencies.
When blocked energy in the body gets activated it can trigger old memories. Which can create impulses that the body still holds and needs to express.
What you can expect from a session
Sessions are in person and last for around 2 hours.
We will begin by discussing the reason for the session, your expectations, any boundaries and health issues.
We may start with exercises to regulate the nervous system, such as tension release, shaking, breathing or sound techniques.
Working on boundaries may be necessary before we can work on the body.
During body-focused sessions, it may be necessary for you to be in your underwear, as I may use oil in the process.
Unlike a massage, you'll be an active participant, staying attuned to the sensations and experiences in your body. Your body will naturally express itself to fulfil actions it initially sought when the armour was created. This may manifest as trembling, shaking, shouting, or crying. Your body's wisdom is respected, and our space is free from judgment.
The session will end with a period of integration so that the body and mind can unite. This will also include time to talk through your experience.
As in coaching, it is beneficial to work over a number of sessions in order to go deeper and progressively remove amour.
Testimonials
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Testimonials •
“As soon as I stepped into the space Binta created, I felt so held and welcomed and was able to drop in. Binta holds a beautiful balance of authenticity and professionalism in her sessions. Her level of presence, everything she is and everything she brings into a session allows deep healing and transformation to take place. The throat de-armouring we did released lots of emotions for me. I felt so safe that emotions were naturally flowing. It also loosened the tension around my whole jaw and throat area which were around my expression. I was so surprised how I was able to release so much.
-Isik Tlabar, Intuitive Coach & Breathwork Facilitator
“At first, I was sceptical and apprehensive regarding what I saw as ‘ alternative therapies’. However, I’m so glad that I embraced the opportunity to work with Binta. Through her calm, knowledgeable and intuitive approach I was gradually able to resist trying to understand everything, pull it apart to try to find out the magic secret and instead just trust in the process and reap the benefits. As a result, I have been able to release both physical and emotional tension. Sessions were delivered with compassion and integrity, enabling me to develop a deeper emotional intelligence, particularly towards nurturing and nourishing my own needs and helping me to reach out to others in a more grounded and rational way. It has been a revelation.”
-Julie Humpharis, Retired Teacher
Resources
Insights
When trauma gets stuck in the body | This article explains why the body shakes or tremors when it releases a block. |
What happens when you add sound waves to anything that matches the same frequency | This video will help explain how sound removes blockages in the body.
Stress, Anxiousness, and the Brain Wave Connection | This article explains how a healthy brain works and the importance of the brain waves connection.
Practices
TRE® (Trauma and Tension Release Exercises) | This is one of the exercises we use in a session to help regulate the nervous system.
Toning is a great way to self de-armour, once practised with a practitioner. I do not recommend that you use it alone if you have trauma. | I use the Washington Monument Frequency Pack of both 33and7 (Male/Female) which costs USD11.11 to download. Note: Don’t be put off by the website.
7 Energy Centers Breathing Intensified breathing practice to activate the life force energy and raise it up through the energy centres to the crown. (at 56mins 40secs)
Books
The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness by Peter A. Levine PhD
No Bad Parts - Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard C. Schwartz PHD