Additional Events / Concerts
SACRED TABBACO RAPE CEREMONY: ACTIVATING THE JOURNEY OF THE SELF AND THE CONNECTION TO THE POWER OF THE LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
BY: ANAND RUDRA
This ceremony will be centered on Rape as a medicine that will take you to the sacred journey of the inner self; we will develop the connection to all the layers of consciousness, meta consciousness and supra consciousness as elements to recognize what is the self as spirit and soul.
READ MORE
In the Americas and Asia, one of the first Sacred Plants to be used as medicine, spiritual protector, and cleanser, as well as a bridge to communicate with the spirits, has been Nicotiana Rustica (Tobacco). It is considered one of the Sacred Plants that not only holds the five elements of existence within but also can be experienced and practiced on the five planes of the same elements. It is consumed in various forms: raw (chewed directly or with different elements); aqueous extract (matter and water) as tobacco tea; cooked extract (fire) inhaled through the nostrils; and finally, smoked (fire and air).
Rapé, derived from the indigenous word Hapé (Amazonia), has been used by indigenous groups such as the Yawanawa, Noke Koi, and Huni Kuin for spiritual and medicinal purposes. This sacred medicine serves as a conduit to the spirit world and is employed to heal physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments.
Beyond its traditional uses, Rapé facilitates a profound journey into the inner self, guiding practitioners through the multiple layers of consciousness. It aids in connecting with meta-consciousness – the awareness of one’s own consciousness – and supra-consciousness, the higher states of divine knowledge and truth-consciousness. Through this deep introspection, individuals can recognize and align with their true essence as spirit and soul.
The preparation of Rapé is a complex and sacred process involving many steps. First, the tobacco leaves are harvested and sun-dried. Then, they are ground into a fine powder and mixed with other ingredients, such as ashes from sacred trees, herbs, and spices. The specific ingredients and proportions can vary depending on the healer and the intention of the ceremony. Sacred plants carry the energy of those who prepare them; thus, sourcing Rapé from trusted vendors is essential.
When administered, Rapé is blown up the nostrils using a bamboo, wood, or bone pipe called a kuripe. The effects can vary depending on the individual and the dosage but usually include a sense of grounding, clarity, and heightened awareness. The tobacco facilitates the establishment of new synaptic pathways in the brain, enhancing communication between both hemispheres. This altered neural activity leads to amplified senses and a transformed interaction between the brain and the physical body.
Many people feel a solid connection to the earth and their inner wisdom. Rapé is also known for its purifying and cleansing properties and can be used to clear the sinuses and lungs. The most intense effects typically manifest about three minutes after application.
Rapé medicine is administered with a tepi (pipe for when someone serves you Rapé) or kuripe (self-administration pipe), small pipes made of wood or bone. Choosing the right kuripe is essential, as it should fit comfortably in your mouth and be long enough to administer the tobacco deep into your nasal cavity. If the kuripe is too short on either side, you will have difficulty blowing the sacred blend into your nostrils.
When being served Rapé with a tepi, it is crucial to know and trust the person serving you, who should have been appropriately trained—ideally by someone from the Amazon. There is a deep energy exchange during the process, and if the person blows too hard, it may damage your sinuses. Receiving Rapé requires a relaxed yet mindful approach. Sit comfortably with your spine straight and your heart open. Relax your face and block your throat with a quick inhalation. As you receive, open your mouth to relieve the pressure from your ears. Set an intention or make a prayer and look the person serving you in the eyes.
Your chakras, the bodies of the being, and your conscious states could be activated during your session, so it is highly recommended that you sit with your spine erect and open so that the energy may flow from your root to your crown. If desired, close your eyes during administration to prevent the powder from getting into them. However, some prefer to look into the eyes of the person serving them to form a sacred connection.
Physical Effects:
- Sneezing: The administration of Rapé through the nose can trigger sneezing in some individuals.
- Increased Salivation: Some people may experience increased salivation after using Rapé.
- Nausea: Nausea is a possible side effect and may result in vomiting.
- Eye Irritation: Rapé can cause temporary eye irritation or watering because the fine powder is blown into the nostrils.
Psychological Effects:
- Disorientation: Rapé may induce a sense of disorientation, altered mental states, or intense emotions. Some individuals may experience trauma release or changes in mood.
Physical Sensations:
- Dizziness: A feeling of dizziness or light-headedness can occur, mainly if one is not accustomed to the effects of Rapé.
- Purging: In some traditional practices, purging is considered a cleansing process. This can involve vomiting, diarrhea, or other forms of physical release.
It’s important to note that these side effects are not universal, and many people use Rapé without experiencing them. The effects of Rapé can be influenced by the specific blend of ingredients, the dosage, and the individual’s sensitivity. Additionally, some indigenous cultures view particular side effects, such as purging, as part of ritual purification and cleansing.
Rapé medicine is believed to decalcify the pineal gland, thus boosting melatonin production. This tiny gland controls your circadian rhythm, melatonin, and immune system. While scientific validation is ongoing, pineal gland calcification has been linked to degenerative diseases, stroke, bleeding, and even breast cancer. Melatonin, the superstar hormone, gets a natural boost during decalcification. Melatonin is a brain enhancer, and balance the immune system.
Meta-consciousness refers to the awareness of one’s own consciousness, a state where our senses are expanded, allowing for a heightened experience of unity and complete awareness. In this state, individuals may feel a dissolution of physical reality, becoming one with the universe.
Supra-consciousness, on the other hand, denotes a level of awareness that transcends ordinary consciousness, reaching beyond to a higher state of being. Engaging with Rapé can facilitate access to these elevated states, promoting a holistic understanding of the self.
Rapé allows a connection to spirit and helps us tap into our inner strength and sensitivity while softening our egos. It serves as a celebration of life facilitated by sacred plant medicine, allowing us to unite with the great spirit. Approaching Rapé with respect and understanding its cultural and spiritual significance is essential. By doing so, individuals can embark on a sacred journey of the inner self, connecting with all layers of consciousness to recognize the self as both spirit and soul.
MYSTIC POP CONCERT "MY PATH TO MYSELF – FROM SURVIVAL TO PRESENCE."
BY: FIORA ANICCA
“This is an intimate concert – story based on my personal journey of recovery from years of trauma and addiction. I share my story, but also the methods and conclusions I’ve gained in the recovery process — working with the subconscious, regulating the nervous system, and consciously changing internal patterns.
It’s a journey from living in chronic tension and survival mode to grounding in the body and real presence.
Sound-wise, it’s alternative, mystical pop — sounds that move not only emotionally but also somatically. The concert is a space for experience: an encounter with one’s own body, with what’s written there, and with the possibility of change.
It’s a story that leaves a mark and shows that returning to oneself is possible.”
[Fiora Anicca]
READ MORE
Fiora Anicca is a Mystic Pop artist and singer whose journey from her native Poland to her current home in Leeds, UK, shapes her transcendent blend of pop, spirituality, and personal storytelling. Her music flows through dreamlike soundscapes, introspective lyrics, and emotional depth — a sonic world for listeners seeking both melody and meaning.
Fiora’s art is rooted in her own transformation. Growing up in difficult environment, she found refuge in singing, using her voice as a companion through the most difficult chapters of her life. Today, her music carries the essence of this rebirth — offering connection, hope, and a reminder that everything in life can change. She believes that every experience, whether tender or painful, is a gift meant to lift us. Her unique sound draws inspiration from visionary voices like Nessi Gomes, Beth Gibbons, Björk, Kate Bush, and Aurora.
In addition to her musical work, Fiora is a certified MAP therapist and trauma coach, bringing deep emotional insight and healing experience to her creative world. She also creates chanted meditations —a blend of spoken guidance, intuitive vocals, and sound healing — offering both downloadable tracks and custom meditations tailored to individual needs.
For Fiora, music and healing are on the same spectrum: both are paths to transformation, self-connection, and the beauty of personal growth.
My Story
My name is Fiora, and my life has been a journey from darkness to light — a journey that shaped not only my voice but also the woman behind it.
I grew up in a home where chaos was the norm: violence, addiction, fear. My childhood began in an unstable environment, but even then, a quiet strength was born within me — one I discovered years later, through healing.
In all this darkness, I had one refuge: my voice.
Singing gave me breath, space, identity — a place where I finally felt safe. When I sang, I felt the physical world dissolve around me, and a feeling of love filled me from within. These were my first mystical experiences.
I moved out of my family home at eighteen, with a single shopping bag filled with my belongings and a dream in my heart. I studied music, moved from city to city, and carried the burden of trauma with me everywhere. Later, I was officially diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
For many years, alcohol became my way of coping with the pain I didn’t yet know how to cope with. My life spiralled through toxic relationships, violence, hospital detoxes, relapses, broken bones, and nights I barely survived.
And yet… something inside me refused to die.
Music pulled me forward — through Poznań, Katowice, London, Leeds. I worked endless hours, sang on the streets to pay for my studies, and somehow, I always got back up. But healing didn’t come until life forced me to look deeper within. During my cold marriage, which brought up all the wounds from my adolescence that I hadn’t yet faced, I finally turned inward. I started reading a lot, searching for answers. While no conventional therapy helped, and I tried literally everything, I decided to search on my own. I read about the subconscious, trauma, energy, and transformation. When I discovered MAP therapy (Make Anything Possible) and the profound practices of mind work, I felt something shift. Old patterns began to dissolve. The craving for alcohol finally disappeared. My inner world finally opened up. Today, I see no signs of PTSD or addiction within myself.
Thus, my new self was born… One day during meditation, it came to me — gentle, yet powerful.
The name Fiora — a flower symbol, because I believe that each of us carries beauty within — no matter what we are struggling with at the moment.
My rebirth.
I started writing again, recording again, creating again — from a place of truth, not survival. When I released “I Died Once,” it wasn’t just a song: it was a declaration that I was reborn. And soon after, love entered my life in a way I had never experienced before — gentle, supportive, spiritually connected.
Today, I am a certified MAP therapist, singing, writing, creating, teaching, and guiding others from a place of profound clarity.
I believe transformation is possible for everyone — because I’ve experienced it myself.
I’m here to share my voice, my story, my art, and the tools that helped me move beyond trauma and achieve freedom.
Fiora isn’t just my stage name — it’s a part of me that blossomed from the ashes and that I now help others discover within themselves.
I want you to know something important: if you’re struggling with yourself — if you feel worthless, inadequate, overwhelmed, or emotionally unstable — it’s not your fault. These patterns aren’t a sign of weakness; they’re subconscious programs formed long before you had the strength to make a different choice.
I help people gently change these old, internal patterns through MAP therapy, with respect and compassion, because they were created for a reason — often to protect you earlier in life. Together, we soothe and re-regulate them so you can feel whole again, free from inner conflict.
You don’t have to struggle with addiction or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as I once did. Through MAP therapy, I support people with various limitations — emotional, mental, and energetic. I also offer meditations aimed at strengthening the positive aspects of your personality.
Change is not only possible — it’s already happening to you. Let’s help it blossom.
With love, Fiora.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MAP (MAKE ANYTHING POSSIBLE) METHOD:
MAP (Make Anything Possible) is a unique development and coaching method that utilizes the latest neuroscientific discoveries. It helps participants recognize and release internal blocks and subconscious patterns that hold them back from a fulfilling life, good relationships, and creativity. It allows for the rapid release of potential and the regaining of inner freedom.
MAP works without the need for deep analysis of past traumas or lengthy storytelling—it’s a process that interacts with the mind and memory in a natural, gentle, and effective way. The method works by reprogramming the brain, allowing for the elimination of negative “sabotaging patterns” at an unconscious level, leading to lasting behavioral and emotional change.
In MAP sessions, participants learn to identify what in their mind or body blocks their expression and then neutralize the emotional charge of these patterns so that they can no longer control their reactions, decisions, and relationships. This allows for, among other things, relief from anxiety, release from stress, greater clarity in life, a reshaping of beliefs, and more conscious choices in relationships.
MAP utilizes the principles of memory and neuroplasticity—instead of fighting the past, it teaches the brain to respond in new, adapted ways and create new, positive patterns, without the need for lengthy analysis or a therapeutic relationship.
It is a method that:
- works quickly and gently, without forcing the participant into flashbacks or storytelling,
- draws on the natural power of the mind and memory,
- neutralizes the emotional charge of memories,
- and helps participants feel more present and free in life and relationships.
How does MAP work?
- Neurobiological basis: The method utilizes the phenomenon of memory consolidation, allowing the brain to “rewrite” negative memories and emotions (so-called “emotional charge”).
- No conscious recall: A key feature is that during the session, there is no need to relive or analyze the trauma; simply, the patient is guided to neutralize blockages, and the brain reorganizes itself.
- Fast and precise results: This often results in a much faster process than traditional therapy methods, eliminating negative patterns at their source.
What can MAP be used for?
- Relieving stress (financial, diagnosis-related).
- Releasing fear, anxiety, and the feeling of being “stuck.”
- Overcoming procrastination and self-destructive habits.
- Supporting personal growth and achieving full potential.
Who can benefit?
People from all walks of life who want to regain control over their lives, achieve emotional freedom, and live in harmony with their purpose.
SACRED CACAO CEREMONY: A SHAMANIC JOURNEY TO INNER SELF AND SOUL CONNECTION
BY: ANAND RUDRA
The cacao ceremony is an ancient shamanic ritual rooted in the indigenous cultures of Central and South America, particularly among the Maya and Aztec civilizations. Cacao, known as “the food of the gods,” was revered as a sacred plant medicine used to connect with the divine, facilitate spiritual introspection, and foster community bonding. In contemporary times, cacao ceremonies have been embraced as a means to journey inward, celebrate the inner self, and deepen the connection to one’s soul and inner wisdom.
READ MORE
Shamanic Foundations of the Cacao Ceremony
At its core, the cacao ceremony is deeply intertwined with shamanic principles and practices. Shamans, serving as spiritual guides, facilitate these ceremonies to lead participants on journeys of self-discovery and transformation. Through ritual, intention setting, and the careful preparation of the cacao elixir, participants are invited to connect with the spirit of cacao and access higher states of consciousness.
Preparation Before the Ceremony
To fully benefit from the cacao ceremony, it’s essential to prepare the body, mind, and spirit:
1. Body Preparation:
- Diet: It’s advisable to fast or consume light, plant-based meals a few hours before the ceremony to allow the cacao to be absorbed more effectively.
- Hydration: Ensure adequate hydration, but avoid excessive water intake immediately before consuming cacao to prevent dilution of its effects.
2. Mind Preparation:
- Intention Setting: Reflect on your purpose for attending the ceremony. Setting a clear intention can guide your experience and deepen your insights.
- Mental Clarity: Engage in activities that calm the mind, such as journaling or spending time in nature, to arrive with a centered and open mindset.
3. Spirit Preparation:
- Meditation and Breathwork: Practice deep breathing exercises or meditation to align your energy and open your heart to the forthcoming experience.
- Sacred Space: If possible, bring personal sacred items (like crystals or meaningful tokens) to enhance your connection during the ceremony.
Ceremony Structure
1. The Sacred Space of the Universe Womb
- Cacao is the medicine that be holds the creation energy of the elementals; it connects with the vivid heritage of who we are, is the key to awake the wisdom that comes from the heart and the soul, it allows us to activate the pineal system including the sacred endocrinal journey of our life, and generates a complete self-balance of the soul system including the journey of discovering the human soul with in.
- Calling in the Ancestors and Elementals: Through prayer, chanting, or music, the facilitator invites the presence of ancestors, elemental forces, the universe, and Mother Earth to support and guide the ceremony.
2. Cacao Blessing and Consumption (20 minutes):
- Blessing the Cacao: Participants gather in a circle as the facilitator leads a blessing, expressing gratitude to the cacao spirit and all beings involved in its journey to the ceremony.
- Drinking the Cacao: With mindfulness, participants consume the cacao, focusing on their intentions and the sensations arising within.
3. Shamanic Journey and Meditation (30 minutes):
- Guided Shamanic Journey: The facilitator leads a journey to assist participants in connecting deeply with their inner selves, exploring their soul’s wisdom and insights. Ceremonial Shamanic drum journey to awake the soul.
- Sound Healing (Optional): Incorporating instruments like singing bowls or drums can enhance the meditative experience, promoting deeper relaxation and connection.
4. Sharing and Reflection (15 minutes):
- Group Sharing: Participants are invited to share their experiences, insights, or emotions that surfaced during the meditation.
- Reflection: Time is allotted for personal reflection, allowing individuals to journal or contemplate their journey.
5. Closing the Ceremony (10 minutes):
- Gratitude Expression: The group expresses gratitude to the cacao spirit, ancestors, elementals, and each other for the shared experience.
- Closing the Sacred Space: The facilitator formally closes the space, often with a prayer, chant, or moment of silence, signalling the end of the ceremony.
Conclusion
Participating in a cacao ceremony is a profound way to honor and celebrate the inner self, fostering a deep connection to one’s soul and inner wisdom. Through mindful preparation and engagement in sacred shamanic rituals, individuals can experience transformative insights and a renewed sense of spiritual alignment.
TANTRIC ECSTATIC DANCE & SOUND BATH
BY: DJ NAG CHAMPA
This will be an evening full of magic, immersion in the body and a journey beyond the boundaries of ordinary reality. Ethnic-electronic sounds from the Amazon jungle, the African Sahara or the Indian Peninsula will invite you to a journey not only through different cultures, but above all into the depths of yourselves.
READ MORE
Ecstatic Dance is more than just movement, it is a return to primordial freedom, where the body can speak its own language. Without patterns, without judgments, in full authenticity. In the silence of darkness we will feel how the other senses are sharpening – every sound, smell, touch of air will lead us on this journey. Mindfulness will be your compass, allowing for a safe adventure in this mysterious world. Sensual music will lead us to dissolution and ecstasy. To close the evening and integrate this experience, you will still have a bath in the sounds of Tibetan bowls.
We will start in the dark – with blindfolds on, allowing ourselves to go deep inside ourselves, to connect with the body and the heart field and activate the energy. Soothing sounds will release tensions and clear the head, so that we can enter the proper meditation of movement and dance. Then the movement will become our expression, our connection with the world. The main part of the evening will be a set in the style of Ecstatic Dance.
A TANTRIC–SHAMANIC COFFEE CEREMONY OF MASCULINE PRESENCE & WAKEFUL POWER - THE BLACK FIRE OF THE LINEAGE
BY: ANAND RUDRA
The Archetype of Coffee & the Masculine Lineage
In tantric and shamanic traditions, the masculine principle is not defined by gender, dominance, or role—it is defined by function:
READ MORE
- Direction
- Axis
- Wakefulness
- Fire
- Discernment
- Transmission
Coffee, as a plant spirit, resonates profoundly with this masculine polarity.
It does not dissolve boundaries; it clarifies them.
It does not intoxicate; it awakens.
It does not pull inward; it aligns vertically.
Across Sufi orders, Ethiopian lineages, desert mysticism, and warrior–priest traditions, coffee has been used to sustain vigilance, prayer, night practice, and masculine coherence. In Tantra, it becomes a ritual ally of Shivaic presence—the witnessing consciousness that holds and stabilizes Shakti.
Purpose & Importance in the Festival
This ceremony serves as a ritual activation of the masculine axis within the collective field.
1. Restoring the Masculine as Axis, Not Control
In modern spiritual spaces, the masculine is often misunderstood or suppressed.
This ceremony restores the masculine as:
- Ground
- Structure
- Clear seeing
- Energetic containment
Without this axis, expansion becomes dispersion.
2. Strengthening Lineage & Transmission
Coffee is approached as a lineage plant, supporting:
- Continuity
- Memory
- Teaching
- Wakeful responsibility
This is especially important in a festival that has been held 14 times, where transmission across generations is part of its living identity.
3. Balancing Feminine Expansion with Masculine Clarity
After deep eros, emotional, and devotional practices, the field needs:
- Sobriety
- Orientation
- Integration
The masculine polarity provides direction to expansion, ensuring that insight becomes embodied action.
ECSTATIC DANCE PARTY
BY: RISHI VLOTE & SHAKYA GRAHE
Ecstatic Dance Party
READ MORE
Description
TANTRIC-SHAMANIC WATER AND FLOWER CEREMONY. FEMALE LINEAGE – WATER OF FLOWERING WISDOM
BY: ANAND RUDRA
The Water–Flower Tantric Shamanic Ceremony is a sacred ritual of remembrance, purification, and transmission dedicated to the feminine principle within Tantra: Shakti, Wisdom, Sensitivity, Flow, and Creative Intelligence.
READ MORE
Water represents life, memory, receptivity, and emotional intelligence.
Flowers represent beauty, impermanence, sensuality, devotion, and the blossoming of consciousness.
Together, water and flowers form a living mandala of the Feminine, honoring the ancestral feminine lineage that has carried Tantra not through domination or doctrine, but through embodiment, ritual, eros, intuition, and love.
This ceremony reconnects participants—women and men alike—to the inner feminine polarity, essential for tantric balance, erotic intelligence, and spiritual maturity.
Why This Ceremony Is Essential in a Tantra Festival
In authentic tantra, the feminine principle is not an idea—it is a living force:
- The capacity to feel before acting
- The intelligence of the body and emotions
- The ability to receive energy and transform it
- The gateway through which eros becomes wisdom
Modern practitioners often approach tantra through techniques, performance, or goals.
This ceremony re-educates the nervous system to remember that Shakti leads, and Shiva listens.
It restores:
- Feminine authority
- Sensual spirituality
- Sacred vulnerability
- Devotional presence
Archetypal Foundation: The Feminine Lineage
This ritual invokes the Feminine Lineage Archetypes, such as:
- The Priestess – guardian of thresholds and initiations
- The Lover – eros as sacred intelligence
- The Mother of Waters – womb of creation and healing
- The Dakini – wild wisdom beyond social conditioning
The lineage honored is trans-cultural and pre-patriarchal, rooted in:
- Kaula Tantra
- Shakta traditions
- Shamanic water rites
- Earth-based feminine mysteries
TANTRIC TRIBAL TRANCE DANCE
BY: DJ NAG CHAMPA
Our ancestors gathered around the fire and through the movement (dance) and sound (drums) entered a state of trance. The goal was to connect more deeply with their essence and higher consciousness. In the 21st century, our range of possibilities has expanded, and this is what we will use in this dance ritual led by DJ Nag Champa. Just like in the times of our ancestors, as one tribe, we will once again gather around the fire and connect with the primordial energies. We will call upon the elements and archetypes to accompany us on this journey. By embodying their qualities, we will open our perception to expanded states of consciousness, leading to purification and liberation.
READ MORE
Tribal Trance Dance is a ritual dance that combines elements of shamanic traditions, tribal rituals and trance movements aimed at a deep inner journey and transformation. It is an intense, intuitive experience that engages body, mind and spirit. Tribal Trance Dance is more than just a dance – it is a ritual, a journey into the inner self and a way to release energy through movement.
TANTRIC SOUND CEREMONY WITH TANDAVA DANCE
BY: KRZYSZTOF BUBEL
We invite you to a unique Sound Ceremony, during which you will immerse yourself in the vibrations of powerful Tone of Life gongs and other relaxation instruments. It is a journey through sound, in which the body, mind and soul harmonize, gradually opening up to subtle vibrations that penetrate every cell of your body, supporting its healing and renewal.
READ MORE
The ceremony will be preceded by the practice of the Kashmiri Tandava dance, which is a meditative expression of life energy and deep presence. Tandava is a dance of awareness and freedom, in which movement flows by itself, like ocean waves. There are no patterns, no control – there is a connection with space, breath and the rhythm of the universe. Dance and sound will merge into one flow, opening space for intuitive movement, spontaneity and deep regeneration.
Allow yourself to completely let go. This journey is an invitation to meet yourself – fully, in trust, in harmony.
How does the Sound Ceremony work?
- we open our mind and body,
- vibrations penetrate our bodies, releasing tension and stress,
- sounds create a calming atmosphere helping the mind and body achieve a meditative state,
- cosmic sounds support the healing of our cells.
Tandava is an ancient meditative dance of consciousness originating from the tantric tradition of Kashmiri Shaivism. It is considered the oldest form of dance, being both a deep meditation practice and an expression of the flow of life energy. It is a dance of full presence, in which the body moves in harmony with the natural rhythm of breathing and the space around it. Without structure, without form, without effort – the movements of Tandava are slow, fluid and organic, allowing for the gradual dissolution of tensions and connection with the infinite, cosmic consciousness.
Tandava does not require dance skills, only a willingness to surrender to the flow and let go of control. This dance, which was brought to Europe by Daniel Odier, leads us to deep relaxation. It allows our body to tune in in a very subtle way, like a musical instrument, so that it can vibrate harmoniously with the Cosmos. This process of vibrating with the whole is called “Spanda” and is innate in us, but it cannot manifest itself when we are tense and rigid on an emotional, mental or physical level.