De-armouring in Berlin
"Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are."
How Tantra Massages help you to release physical and emotional tension (de-armouring)
De-armouring - the release of physical and emotional blockages - is not a luxury, but a necessity in order to stay with yourself and live a life with authenticity and joy. At Journey Within in Berlin, we combine ancient tantric knowledge with modern trauma work to help you regain your natural softness and vitality.
Most of us grew up in an environment that did not support us to deal with emotions and stress in a regulated and healthy way. And we end up developing certain patterns as protection mechanism. We repress the feelings that were not welcomed, not understood or even shamed in the our upbringing. And also as adults, to function in our high-performing society, it might be hard to find moments and people with whom we feel safe to allow the intensity of our emotions to surface.
With time, or protections mechanism built an "armour" in the body. We need to contract our muscle, shorten our breath, lower our voices in order to repress our feelings and true impulses.
Where does the "armour" come from?
- Stress of everyday life that makes us always be in a "doing/performing mode" and rarely gives us the time to relax, just "be" and feel everything that is there;
- Social conditioning that teaches us to behave in a certain way
- Past or present painful experiences that makes us want to feel less
- Big or small trauma
What is de-armouring? Why it is more than “just relaxation”?
De-armouring describes the process of releasing embodied protective mechanisms - be it physical tension, emotional numbness or energetic blockages. These “armours” often arise unconsciously: as a reaction to stress, trauma or social expectations.
Scientifically speaking, the body stores memories and emotions in muscles, fasciae and the nervous system (see polyvagal theory). When we are chronically in “survival mode”, the body literally hardens - shoulders hunched, jaw tensed, pelvis tilted. Relaxation helps to break these patterns and guide the nervous system back to safety.
“Many people don't realize how litlle they've been feeling themselves until they get a massage." says Paula, founder of Journey Within. “Suddenly tears start flowing, the breath deepens - that's
the moment when the armour softens.”
How De-Armouring works at Journey Within:
3 steps to more ease and relaxation
1. creating safety is the key to allow the body to open up
Every session begins with a clarifying conversation. What do you need today? Where do you feel unsafe? Our trauma-informed approach focuses on your boundaries - because real release can only happen in a space without pressure.
2. bodywork that activates the vagus nerve
We will use gentle touch to soothe your nervous system. Combined with more firm touch to help you relax muscle tension and deeper the breath. Whenever a point of tension arises, we will focus the touch on that body part. Using gentle touches, conscious breathing or targeted pressure points, we invite the body express and release, so that it can afterwards activate the parasympathetic nervous system (“resting nerve”). This signals to the body: You can let go. Many clients report feelings of warmth, tingling or sudden yawning - signs that the body is awakening from a state of freeze.
3. allowing energy to flow - from blockage to vitality
In tantra massage, we not only work with muscles, but also with the energy body. Blockages in the pelvis, heart or throat are released through mindful touch and breathing techniques. “It's as if I'm really inhabiting my body for the first time” is how one client describes the feeling after the session.
Our methods for de-armouring:
from tantra massage to embodiment coaching
Recommended: Gentle touch releases initial tension and awakens body awareness. This is our preferred session to spend more time working with de-armouring.
This session include elements of de-armouring if emotional or physical tension show up, even though it is not the main focus. De-armouring can be applied on pelvic area, yoni or lingam if wished for to support the flow of more life-energy through the whole body.
3. Embodiment Coaching / Body-Oriented Coaching
For head people: Learn to recognise what you are really feeling in any situation and how to express that in an empowered and mature way.
In all our workshops there will be elements of de-armouring - releasing tension and opening space for new experiences - supported by the group energy. Especially Tantric Therapy Workshop and Level 3 Tantra Massage Workshop
“My body was a stranger” - Testimonials from Berlin
Sophie, 29, artist from Neukölln:
“After years of chronic back pain, I realized: the doctors couldn't find a cause. During the de-armouring massage, my lower abdomen began to tremble - and I realized how much anger I was holding down in my body. Since then, I've dealt with pain differently.”
Lars, 45, teacher from Charlottenburg:
“I was the type to always say 'Everything's okay!' When I suddenly accessed some sadness in the session, it was also mixed with shame. And later a sense of deep release and relaxation.
I am starting to allow more vulnerability into my life, and even though it feels unusual, I can directly see how I am amble to create much deeper connection in all my relationships.”
Sara, from Kreuzberg
“After three sessions, I was able to sleep deeply again for the first time in years. It's as if I've reclaimed my body.”
FAQs: Frequently asked questions about De-Armouring
“How often do I need sessions?”
Some people feel relief after 1-2 sessions. For long-standing blockages, we recommend
4-6 sessions at intervals of 2-3 weeks.
“Can unblocking be painful?”
You always decide how deep you wanna go. The bodywork session will be adjusted to your needs and desires. And we are constantly in communication so that you can express how deep you want to go.
“Do I have to talk about traumas?”
No. Speaking about our traumas can be beneficial to understand and integrate. But the main focus of bodywork is to feel what is there. You decide what and how much you share.
Berlin is a place of extremes:
creative freedom meets rental stress,
nightlife meets fatigue.
Many of us function in “survival mode” - until our bodies go on strike:
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Chronic pain with no medical cause
-
Relationship problems because emotional closeness triggers anxiety
-
Creative emptiness when the body has no more energy
Relaxation is not a self-optimization project. It's about getting your inherent softness in a world that rewards hardness. Are connect to your inner truth and guidance.
Ready to take off your armor?
Your body is not an enemy - let it be unarmored
De-armouring is not a question of discipline. It's a decision to listen to your body - instead of fighting it. In our rooms at Elsa-Brändström-Straße 4 (near Prenzlauer Berg) you will find a place where you can finally let yourself go. And arrive in the present moment.
