Fight-Flight-Freeze & Shutdown Mode
Understand how fight/flight/freeze works and why freeze dominates today.
When the Body Isn’t Bracing
The body is not preparing for impact or response.
Muscles soften without instruction,
and readiness loosens its hold.
There is no signal to stay alert
and no reason to guard.
This window notices
the absence of bracing
as a quiet condition,
not an accomplishment.
Experience ease without readiness using DojoWell.
Explore DojowellFrom Art to Science
Articles exploring the psychology behind these patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my muscles feel "ready to run" even when I'm safe?
This is Internal Bracing. Your Threat system is maintaining a state of "high-readiness" just in case. In this framework, we aim to reduce this bracing by proving it isn't needed. Naming the "non-bracing" body helps you recognize what "un-guarded" feels like. It is the transition from "active defense" to "passive presence," which significantly lowers your metabolic drain.
How do I stop the bracing?
You don't "un-brace"; you "De-task the Guard." Acknowledge the bracing as a "safety officer" doing its job. Then, gently offer the system a choice: "Can we be 5% less ready?" By lowering the "readiness" in small increments, you prove to the Integrator that nothing bad happens when you soften, allowing the brace to dissolve on its own.