2. The Reality Principle: is influenced by the "ego mind", this
principle is found in our ability to delay gratification and suffer
in the short term for the promise of a reward, later. 

 

Things like saving money, working out and dieting fall into this

category.

In our society, far more emphasis is placed in the exercise of the
Reality Principle thus The Pleasure Principle is often suppressed,

repressed and in many cases demonized.

 

We are taught not to trust or even FEEL our feelings when we are
very young.

 

You'll see this when a parent tells her child, "Stop crying!" or "Stop
hitting!" or "Stop the temper tantrum!"

 

Basically, they are saying "Stop feeling!"

 

When we suppress e-motion we are stopping the expression of
MOTION... the body's main way of feeling and the tool of the
Pleasure Principle.

 

You want to yell at your mother or hit her... but instead you exercise
the Reality Principle by "biting your tongue" and "holding back your
hands."

 

In your physical suppression of the emotion you create muscular

tension in the neck and jaw (by not yelling) as well as in the shoulders

and arms (by not hitting).

 

Over time these held back feelings create long term chronic muscular
tension which eventually leads to muscular imbalances... or what we

call Muscle Viruses.

Interesting stuff, huh!?

 

Although I've reserved the teaching of these Psycho-Somatic Strength
ideas for my advanced students... I thought it would be cool to show
you how your Muscle Viruses may be more deep rooted than just a
few tight muscles.

 

If you find that you hold tension in certain muscles that are causing
you to fall short of your potential... then the link below might be
helpful to you.