Using Your Body Shape to Help Explain Health Challenges and Reverse Them

Morphology is the study of body shapes. Your physical appearance is the specific manifestation of the sum total of all hidden and subtle energetic influences at work within you—what you were born with as well as what results from where and how you live your life. (This article was originally published September 2, 2016 and has been updated here for freshness and comprehensiveness.)

A healthy human constitution can be described as a relatively harmonious symbiosis between body and spirit. This is comprised of one’s morphological structure, physiological function, psychological makeup and ability to adapt to environments.

---

Every person has his or her own stamp, so to speak—a set of unique characteristics which is reflected in differences in morphology, function and psychology.

While there are an infinite number of body shapes, traditional Chinese medicine categorizes them into five groups based on specific characteristics and corresponding to each of the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine theory.

To each of the five elements corresponds a body type—a specific morphology. Here’s an overview:

• Wood: Muscular-type in need of physical activity; well-developed upper body (strong yang) with a generally lesser development of the legs (declining yin); dynamic; Sensitive to wind.

• Fire: Red-faced; rounded upper body with thin legs (strong yang and weak yin); likes to laugh; extroverted; sensitive to heat.

• Earth: Good proportions between upper and lower body (yin and yang in balance); likely to develop a belly; thinking type with stable demeanor; can be nervous when problems occur; sensitive to humidity.

• Metal: Skin poor in oxygenation, looking paler than usual, particularly for Caucasian and Asian complexions; skin sensitive to dryness and visible signs of desquamation; early loss of skin tone.

There are two possible versions of Metal body shapes:

1. Yin type: Thin and withdrawn; loss of minerals with poor oxygenation; poor circulation; cold perspiration.

2. Yang type: Bloated face with poor lymph drainage; puts on weight easily all over the body; poor venous circulation (on legs in particular); perspires with a strong odor.

• Water: Thin to skinny (strongest yin); early gray hair, black circles or puffy eyes, localized water retention; early loss of skin tone resulting in wrinkles; poor muscular development, very flexible articulations; dislikes cold.

Numerous descriptions of body morphology appear in Chinese medical texts. A famous passage from the Divine Pivot (Ling Shu)* corresponds the shape, number and types of human body parts to the structure of Heaven and Earth.

The texts documented the crucial spots on the body where a practitioner could insert needles or apply the heat of burning mugwort to cure illness, and they taught practitioners how to locate these points by describing their position relative to the bones, creases and swellings of the body.

Awareness of human morphology similarly shaped therapeutic texts in which illnesses and their cures were categorized according to the part of the body that was afflicted.

Morphology provides an additional set of information to help confirm the dominating energy influencing your health and appearance. It is a quick tool that can be used in tandem with information ascertained from your skin condition and biorhythm.

Morphology and biorhythm are likely to correlate and confirm each other. This combined information allows a trained practitioner to anticipate the likely direction of your aging process and to create a highly personalized skincare program for you.

In the case of an established esthetic challenge, skin condition or body shape, information from morphology helps define the proper solution for you. It confirms the right treatment protocol and the proper home regimen.

Morphology is just one important tool to help us better understand the energetic tendencies that affect each of us. It can also help explain the reasons behind some of our chronic health challenges.

“Setting aside any consideration of human evolution or racial groups, the human body can be broadly categorized into three types: ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph. People classified as ectomorphs usually have a long, lean frame and narrow shoulders and hips… Endomorphs, by contrast, are short and broad, with wide hips and a tendency to gain weight. Mesomorphs are athletic in build with broad shoulders, narrow waist, and powerful, but not wide, hips…

The basic shape or skeletal framework of a person, whether ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph, or a combination (few people will fall neatly into one specific category), cannot be changed by exercise. Exercise and food intake, however, can influence how you look.”

— Chan Ling Yap in Fusion Fitness: Combining the Best from East and West

#####

Endnotes:

*Ling Shu: Also known as Divine Pivot, Spiritual Pivot, or Numinous Pivot, is an ancient Chinese medical text whose earliest version was probably compiled in the first century BCE on the basis of earlier texts. It is one of two parts of a larger medical work known as the Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of Huangdi or Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon). The other section, which is more commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, is known as the Suwen.

University, Tsinghua University Press Tsinghua, and Dongpei Hu. Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and Principles. De Gruyter, 2017.

Yap, Chan Ling. Fusion Fitness: Combining the Best from East and West. Alameda, CA: Hunter House, 2003. Print.

Wu, Yi-Li. Reproducing Women: Medicine, Metaphor, and Childbirth in Late Imperial China. University of California Press, 2010.

Wu, Jing-Nuan. Ling Shu: Or the Spiritual Pivot. The Taoist Center, 2004.

Image in the public domain: Bather and Maid (La Toilette de la baigneuse) (1900–1901) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

The Yin and Yang of Body Shapes and What They Say About You

According to the Five Element theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), all body shapes fall into one of five categories. This philosophy embodies a simplified approach limited to the interaction of yin and yang energies within our bodies.

Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural beauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique beauty tips and offers.

While there are an infinite number of body shape permutations, TCM categorizes them into five groups. TCM bases these five groups on characteristics that correspond to each of the five elements of TCM theory.

You might find it interesting to see where your body shape falls in the schematic representation to the right.

Note: Yang is represented by an equilateral triangle (all sides equal) standing not on its base but on the opposite angle. Conversely, yin is represented by an equilateral triangle standing on its base.

1. The upside down triangle: With dominating yang energy, favors the development of the upper part of the body at the expense of the lower parts (big shoulders and skinny legs).

2. The triangle resting on its base: With dominating yin energy, favors the development of the lower part of the body at the expense of the upper part.

3. A rectangle standing on its smaller side: Balance of yin and yang.

4. Two triangles joined at the opposing angles with their base both at the bottom and at the top: With strong yang on the upper part of the body and strong yin in the lower part of the body creating a constriction in the midsection, results in insufficient energy for assimilation and elimination with all the attendant health and skin problems this condition generates.

5. Two triangles joined at the base with opposing angles both at the top and the bottom: With limited development of legs and shoulders and strong development of midsection, points to overactive assimilation and elimination but weak regenerating function.

Here are fascinating excerpts on Yin and Yang physical tendencies from two ancient Chinese medicine textbooks.

Abundant Yang

“People with abundant Yang hold their head high while standing because it is the nature of Yang to rise. They shake their body while walking because it is in the nature of Yang to move. They often hold their hands behind the body with the arms and elbows by the sides of the body as it is in the nature of Yang to be exposed.” — The Golden Mirror

“A Greater-Yang type of person looks arrogant with the chest and stomach projected forward as if the body was bending backwards. This is the picture of a Greater-Yang type of person. A Lesser-Yang type of person holds the head high while standing, and shakes the body while walking… 

A person with abundant Yang is emotional and as warm as fire; he talks fast and is swollen with arrogance. It is because the Heart- and Lung-Qi of such a persona are abundant; Yang-Qi is therefore plentiful and flows freely and vigorously. For this reason, it is easy to stimulate his spirit, and the Qi arrives quickly when acupuncture is given.”

— Book Two, The Spiritual Axis, from The Neijing Suwen

Abundant Yin

“Persons of the Greater-Yin type have a sombre countenance and pretend to be humble. They have the body build of a grown-up, but make themselves smaller by bending their back and knees slightly… They are restless while standing, and walk as if to hide themselves…

Persons of the Greater-Yin type are constitutionally excessive in Yan and deficient in Yang. Their Yin and blood are thick and turbid. Their defensive Qi does not flow freely…” — Book Two, Spiritual Axis, from The Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor

Harmony of Yin and Yang

“People with the body shape with harmony of Yin and Yang look elegant and graceful.” 

— Book Two, The Spiritual Axis, from The Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor

“People with a strong body build and relaxed skin, in whom Qi flows smoothly, will live a long life; while those with a strong body build but tense skin, in whom Qi stagnates, will die young…. As medical practitioners, we must understand the connection between body build and body shape so that we may have an idea of the patient’s life expectancy.” —The Golden Mirror

About the Texts Quoted:

Also known as The Imperially Commissioned Golden Mirror of the Orthodox Lineage of Medicine, The Golden Mirror was the Qianlong emperor’s serious effort at categorizing the treatment of sickness and injuries in order to establish a comprehensive standard Chinese medicine textbook.

The Spiritual Axis is one book of the Neijing Suwen, also known as the Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor, one of the most important classics of Taoism, as well as the highest authority on traditional Chinese medicine. Its authorship is attributed to the great Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, who reigned during the third millennium BCE.

The Four 18-Day Transition Periods Between TCM's Seasons and How to Harmonize With Them

There are four Earth energetic seasons in the Five Element Theory and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

These are 18-day transition periods between each of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. TCM principles tell us the energy of that seasons element “returns to earth." For example, the Fire element of Summer returns to Earth to be transformed into the energy of the Metal element for upcoming Fall.

This concept of transitional seasons repeats another three times during the other three transitional periods in the year from one season to another. Together, those four periods of 18 days each every 12 months constitute the full Earth energetic season, the fifth energetic season of TCM.

The Earth season is particularly important as it is a stillpoint in the yin/yang dance of energy throughout the year. In particular, from July 20 to August 6, the yang of Wood (Spring season) and of Fire (Summer season) has faded, and the yin energy of Metal (Fall season) that will peak during Water (Winter season) is poised to rise.

The color for Earth is yellow.

Yellow fruit and vegetables are highly recommended to consume during the transitional Earth season in order to be more in alignment with the energy of the season.

A more toxic body condition found more in some people than in others is what TCM refers to as an Earth condition, or imbalance.

Earth imbalance in the skin usually manifests as:

• blemishes, toxicity, acne, psoriasis, enlarged pores

• heavy looking hair, pimples on scalp

• lymph circulation problems (Lymph is the fluid associated with Earth.)

Acne is an Earth condition that needs to be treated with targeted Earth skincare and therapies. Severe conditions will require a pointed series of treatments to balance the energetic root cause. Drainage of the lymph is essential, not only on the face but also all over the body, especially in severe cases of acne. The condition of acne tends to flare up during the four yearly transitional periods described above (the Earth season).

Lymph drainage is essential.

When waste does not fully migrate out of cells, we manifest the most typical cellulite—an Earth energy deficiency. Cells have become increasingly more bloated with waste material. The condition is aggravated when there is already too much waste in the interstitial fluid. In this case also, lymph drainage is sorely required.

Although there are a few contraindications for lymph drainage, it is safe to say that, in general, most people will benefit from regular drainage, particularly people of the Earth type. A good drainage gives instantly visible results making lymphatic drainage a worthwhile spa treatment.

If your body is very toxic which is very common with Earth types, it is advised to do the entire body in two or more sessions as toxins released too quickly over a large surface might induce fatigue and headaches. It is always imperative for everyone to drink plenty of water before and after any body drainage treatment.

The energetic drainage is not painful at all. In fact, it is considered very pleasant and relaxing. Most people feel quite rejuvenated at the end of the treatment.

In light therapy, also known as chromatherapy by PHYTO5, we use blue light to target the fluid of Earth, lymph, with our award-winning light technologies.

The morphology* associated with Earth can be described as:

• good proportions between upper and lower body (yin and yang in balance).

• likely to develop a belly

• thinking type with stable demeanor

• can be nervous when problems occur

• sensitive to humidity.

The elements in TCM are also associated with epochs in our lives. Earth tends to be the time for more mature adults while Fire, for example, is the time of young adulthood.

The PHYTO5® facial for the transitional periods between seasons/Earth element addresses energetic imbalance with two energetically potent products–the high vibration Earth serum (Phyt’Ether) and the Yellow Colored Clay Mask.

Spleen and stomach are the organs of the Earth seasons.

Spleen has a critical and ongoing management function in Chinese medicine converting and distributing energy from nourishment. It also regulates lymph flow, a major actor in toxin removal from tissues and a critical function of the immune defense system.

Earth is a time to regain our physical and psychological balance and to be prepared to sustain the energetic influences of the next season.

Indeed, during each of the other four seasons, either yin or yang will be on the rise or on the decline.

Each one of us will react to the changes in our own particular ways that can lead to imbalance, but Earth provides the perfect time to detoxify both our physical body and our mental/emotional one. It is the time to be grounded, and to cherish our CHI.

*Morphology is the study of body shapes. Your physical appearance is the specific manifestation of the sum total of all hidden and subtle energetic influences at work within you—what you were born with as well as what results from where and how you live your life. While there is an infinite number of body shapes, they can be classified according to TCM into five groups based on specific characteristics. To each of the five elements corresponds a body type—a specific morphology.

Earth Season Morphology

#tcm #morphology #acne #lymph #toxicity #skincare #Swiss #organic #natural #drainage #lymphatic drainage #holistic