I’ve broken down the elemental body constitutions into three main body types. Each body type is an integration of several traditions including Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Mayan tradition. We all contain each body type to a certain degree; it’s more of a matter of understanding where we are at a given time and how we can achieve a greater balance through diet, tonic herbs, daily practice, and emotional awakening. Remember to always talk to your doctor before making any major diet changes or introducing new supplements to your routine. Balanced Cravings: Bitter, astringent, pungent Response to a poor diet: Lethargic, lack of energy, ongoing cravings This body type is blessed with endurance, strength, and stamina. The Earth body types are grounded and stable, constantly seeking that which is at ease, comfortable, and harmonic. When Earth types are in balance, they are the sweetest of people, with gentle auras and a stabilizing presence. Naturally, Earth types have a slower metabolism and have a thicker build, but only when out of balance do they start collecting belly fat. This body type tends to carry all of the weight around the belly, keeping slender arms and legs. If they are out of balance, even if it’s for a short phase, they must keep in mind that this type of energy is what brings diseases to fruition quite quickly. The Earth body psychology tends to be very patient, calm, tolerant, and forgiving. However, it does tend to get sluggish, lazy, and lethargic if it is not in alignment. Out of balance, feelings of possession, attachment, greed, and envy may surge. The Earth body naturally stores energy, so it must be a number one priority to keep diseases at bay. The Water principle within Earth allows for certain climate conditions to manifest, for example, water retention, sinus congestion, inflamed mucous membranes, toxic accumulation within fat tissue, diabetes, and so on. Lucky you: Dominant Earth types tend to get away with the occasional use of coffee and other stimulants as well as with the occasional glass of wine. Balanced cravings: Sweet, bitter, astringent Response to a poor diet: Anxiety, anger, hypoglycemia, acid reflux Fire types are penetrating, hot, and sharp people. They tend to have a nice build, medium height, and coppery skin, with a constant warm body (perhaps even sweating constantly). Their hair tends to be silky and at times tends to gray faster than others’ due to all the energy they burn. Fire body types are lucky to have a strong metabolism with overall good digestion and a big appetite. They tend to be constantly alert, with a sharp mind and usually with good powers of comprehension. Naturally, fire types are good leaders and planners, constantly desiring to work with the community and alleviate problems around them. Fire body types need to be careful with inflammation, whether it be fevers, skin disorders, or inflammatory diseases in any organ. They must also take care not to bottle up emotions or generate deep discomfort toward situations in life. This tends to generate emotional imbalance or a type of inflammation related to it, like ulcers and other digestive issues. Lucky you: Fire bodies can eat delicious sweets! Fire-based constitutions can eat more sweetness than the norm and not be as affected as other types. Balanced cravings: Warm cooked foods, grounding, sweet and salty flavors Response to a poor diet: Ungroundedness, fragility, fatigue Air/Water body types are ruled by motion. On an annual basis, the most important time for an Air/Water body is in the fall and during the change of seasons. Air/Water is what impels us to change and shift, breaking out of routines into new ones. Those who have a predominance of air and water in their body tend to be very mental, flexible, and creative. These types tend to be very quick and mentally agile, with lots of energy. Air/Water types need to apply routine into their digestive schedule due to their appetite constantly fluctuating. Their innate craving is for raw and cooling foods, yet because they lack the warming element, this can be detrimental to their joints and muscles and can also lower their immune systems. Out of balance, they tend to look depleted, pale, muscle-on-bone thin, fragile, and lanky. Energetically they easily lose willpower, confidence, and boldness. At an older age they naturally enter into a predominantly Air constitution. They start experiencing a drier internal and external landscape, wrinkling, and lack of moisture in the limbs, which decreases their mobility and agility. Lucky you: You get to get away with eating delicious fats and lots of food with such a fast metabolism! Eat lots of good fats and grounding snacks throughout the day to keep your balance.
