Rigid Type

- Strong on the outside, reserved on the inside

Causal Conditioning

• The Rigid Type usually develops during the phase when the child begins to discover their sexuality.
• If they experience frustration or punishment during this time – for example, because a parent reacts threateningly or dismissively to the child's interest – the need for pleasure and closeness is deeply wounded.
• The child learns: Closeness is dangerous.
• They begin to seek closeness indirectly – through control, pride, or skillful maneuvering.
• The rejection of erotic pleasure is felt as the rejection of love – and strikes pride right in the heart.

Energetic State

• The Rigid Type has a lot of energy – it flows from the center outward, but is stopped at the body's surface.
• Feelings are present, but they are only shown in a limited way.
• The limbs are often hot, the musculature tense – especially the long extensor and flexor muscles.
• They are easily aroused but hardly express their impulses.
• The eyes are energetically charged – and often carry the expression of a broken heart.

Physical Characteristics

• The body is well-proportioned, muscular, lively, and flexible.
• The skin has a healthy colour, the eyes shine.
• The pelvic area is pulled back – a sign of retained sexuality.
• Typical are a hollow back (swayback) and a emphasized buttocks (»Sexy-butt«), a straight spine, and a held-high head – an expression of pride and internal tension.

Psychological Patterns

• The greatest fear of the Rigid Type is to surrender – and be betrayed or manipulated in the process.
• Surrender is equated with loss of control.
• They hold themselves stiffly, out of pride or aloofness, and believe: If I give in, I lose myself.
• Giving in is equated with collapse.
• They have a strong ego position and control their behavior precisely: »I am free as long as I don't surrender.«
• But genuine release is hardly possible – because underneath lie the previously punished needs for pleasure and closeness.
• Rigid people are often ambitious, competitive, world-oriented. They perceive passivity as weakness.
• They appear headstrong, proud, sometimes stubborn – and are afraid of making a fool of themselves if they let go.
• Nevertheless, they have a strong sense of self and can achieve a lot – especially when the inner structure opens up.
• They are often successful, like to present themselves, appear attractive – but surrender is missing, the heart remains closed.
• Men: Power-potency displayers, narcissistic, strongly sexually charged – but without genuine closeness.
• Women: Hysterical, frigid, use sexuality for defense – show a lot, give little.
• Inner Conflict:
1. Freedom vs. Capitulation to love.
2. »I'll show it to you, but I won't give it to you.«
• Sexuality:
1. Lots of energy, but no genuine relaxation.
2. Show instead of surrender.
3. Passion, strength, ecstasy are present – but without heart.
• Strengths:
1. Self-confidence, physical strength, mobility, beauty.
2. If the pattern resolves: genuine surrender becomes possible.
• Typical Complaints: Cancer, colic, accidents (inwardly directed aggression), alcoholism, aggressive diseases.

Therapy Goals

• The goal is to soften the rigid structure – so that energy can flow again.
• Control must be let go of, the heart allowed to open.
• Feelings and sexuality should flow freely – without control.
• Helpful:
1. Everything that promotes movement and feeling – e.g., Pulsation.
2. Bodywork, breathing exercises, emotional opening.
• But: Rigid Types rarely come to therapy.
• They are convinced of themselves, have little perceived suffering – to them, everything seems »in order.«