Release REPRESSED ANGER With These Powerful Somatic Exercises

Summary

The presenter describes somatic exercises for noticing and processing repressed anger. He frames anger as bodily energy to be felt and expressed consciously—not as permission to lash out or act violently. He suggests that working with anger may help people feel more authentic and assertive, and that unprocessed anger can be associated with difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.

Key Guidelines and Techniques

• Prioritize safety and stay grounded. Stand if that feels helpful, and aim to remain present, grounded, and in control. If you feel overwhelmed, numb, dissociated, or unsafe, pause, step back, and breathe before deciding whether to continue.
• Approach anger gradually. Invite the feeling, recall a mildly upsetting memory, or try the exercises without forcing anger to appear. Work at your own pace, and stop or rest when you reach an uncomfortable edge.
• Notice and acknowledge the feeling. Observe where anger shows up in your body, such as in your chest or belly, and let it be there. Quietly naming it (“I’m angry”) may help.
• Use small, controlled movements. Try clenching and releasing your fists, or pressing the heels of your palms together. Pairing tension on the inhale with relaxation on the exhale can help you notice bodily shifts. Take breaks between waves of effort.
• Push against resistance. Press your hands or body into a wall, or push against a towel. These exercises provide something to push against while helping you stay aware of the sensation.
• Keep urges controlled. If you feel an urge to hit, kick, or stomp, the presenter suggests using something soft and moving slowly enough to stay connected to the bodily feeling. He cautions against losing control or becoming disconnected.
• Use your voice and words if they arise. Sounds, a silent scream, or brief, direct phrases may help express what was previously held back. The presenter advises avoiding long, elaborate explanations, which he says can shift attention away from the anger itself.
• Make room for protective reactions. Tension, numbness, confusion, nausea, dizziness, or mental chatter may function as ways of holding anger back. Rather than forcing past them, notice and embody the resistance. Consider what it fears might happen if the anger were felt or expressed.
• Offer the resistant part reassurance and time. Breathe, place a hand on the area if helpful, and allow fear or sadness to be present. The presenter recommends moving back and forth between the anger and the protective response as each becomes more manageable.

Presenters and Sources

• Ben, presenter from Drunken Buddha, as identified in the video metadata.
• Drunken Buddha’s blog on repressed anger, referenced by the presenter.