The power of working with, not against, your body's core constitution
Which one of these four types are you?
I want to introduce a simple tool that can be filed under ‘efforts to know yourself’. Last year, right at the beginning of this newsletter journey, I suggested that we benefit the most when we approach new routines, ways of eating and even foods from a state of curiosity and open mindedness. The same goes for tools! I continue to be democratic about knowledge and its contribution to my own health journey.
This particular tool is from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). In TCM, practitioners often refer back to four main constitutional body types: Excess Yang, Excess Yin, Moderate Yang (Balanced) and Yin Deficient. There are variations in names for these, but recognising your type, and then making tweaks to work with it, can help greatly in the day to day. For example, if we know we burn energy easily, we can think about foods which provide sustained energy and build in rest more intentionally.
Little improvements and adaptations done consistently become cumulative, snowballing into the juicy rewards we all want like bouncy, vibrant energy, a strong immune system, good digestive fire. Also, it pays to know thyself so you compare with others less! What works for one human may not work for you.
Here are some brief summaries of the four types, along with a few initial suggestions on how to work with them.
Excess Yang type
Stocky, full chested and strong thick skin. Can carry excess weight with muscle underneath. Runs hot, has a tendency to overheat. If a child - will never complain about being cold and may sleep spread out, blankets off. Strong immune system and few digestive complaints. The type who is flippant about food and drink, less affected by bad food initially, however problems can appear later in life. Has a tendency to overindulge, or push their limits. They get the extremes later in life - heart problems, conditions related to high cholesterol.
How to work with it
Focus on seafood and vegetable protein sources, plenty of grains, beans and lots of vegetables. Benefit from cooling foods, and can handle more raw food than other types. Fasting from time to time is considered supportive to the Excess Yang type. Minimise: overly hot, stimulating or fried foods, heavy/rich animal foods, spicy food and alcohol. Gentle reminders to self about balance and moderation (cue eye roll from this type).
Excess Yin type
Similar body shape to Excess Yang but doesn’t have as much muscular definition. Also set apart with delicate skin and a pale complexion. Tendency towards water retention and a slow metabolism. Sweats easily and dampness or heaviness can easily build up for this type. Can often shy away from physical activity.
How to work with it
Warm spices (turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, cayenne) and herbs to improve circulation and disperse stagnation. This type does well when they prioritise warm (cooked), light foods and when they focus on increasing digestive fire. Minimise: cold, damp foods like ice cream, smoothies, raw fruit (better to stew it with warm spices) or fatty, cold meats. Daily movement and sauna helps a lot with balancing this type.
Moderate Yang (Balanced)
Naturally athletic build, good muscle tone, well defined shoulders. Doesn’t fluctuate with weight as much as Excess Yang or Excess Yin. The most balanced type out of the four.
How to work with it
Try not to muck it up! And by that I mean, take the middle line. This type does extremely well if they remember to watch out for extremes, which will destroy the naturally balanced constitution. This line by Michael Pollan feels especially right for Moderate Yang: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
Deficient Yin
Narrow shoulders, thin, wiry structure. Fast metabolism - burns energy very easily, can eat large meals and rarely puts on weight. Great energy levels, tendency to be very active but can often become ungrounded and burn out. When unbalanced, they have a tendency to overthink, have trouble concentrating or complain that their nervous system feels shot.
How to work with it
Thrives on heavier, denser whole foods like avocado, root vegetables and good fats (ghee, olive oil, butter, cream). Also does well when eating high quality animal foods and eggs. Usually feels very nourished and balanced by warm soups, casseroles or slow cooked meat. Grounding exercise like long walks or weight training also benefit this type. Minimise: excess stimulants.
As always, we’re aiming for joy, ease and curiosity. These are my own personal baselines for health on a daily basis. Keep establishing, practising and noticing and I’ll see you back here next week!
Sophie’s Marketplace
A few bits and pieces I’m loving right now, maybe you will too.
Sarah Blondin on Insight Timer. Insight Timer is the world’s largest free library of guided meditation tracks. Sarah Blondin’s voice is ridiculously soothing and nurturing. If you have trouble sleeping or feeling particularly jazzed, listening to Sarah can help, I swear. She has over 13,000 five star reviews. What a voice, what a woman.
Ballerina cardigan by Flowers. A most delicious, perfectly fitted cardigan by Flowers, the label by New Zealand designer Georgia Currie. I especially love the fabric - a blend of possum, merino and silk.
Medium yang here trying not to fuck it up 💕