I’ve been reading a great book by a guy called Steve Peters about The Chimp Paradox.
The premise is: We all have an inner chimp. 🐵 It’s more powerful than our conscious brain. So we have to manage it, or it will rule our lives.
In yoga, I feel like we’re often pushing our limits. The idea is to become aware of the inner chimp. That voice that says “run”. Or “get me out of Warrior Two already!”
But what happens if you become aware of the voice and breathe through it? What happens if you can engage with it, but not do what it says?
Ayurvedic medicine has similar concepts. But I’ve found the inner chimp is a more straightforward way to talk to people who show up angry. If someone is territorial, or they’re easily threatened. Or if they’re thinking often about their survival.
“I get it. That’s your inner chimp talking.”
And then they’re like, “what do you mean, my inner chimp?”
And then you can be like, “have you heard of this great book?”
Or, you know…fight them.
Basically it’s a great book for helping angry men overcome their emotional problems. So: Recommend. Good luck with the chimps in your life.
M
