The way in which Yin and Yang relate to each other, as well as how a person’s Qi and blood flow in the body, determine constitution. Using western terminology, you might think of constitution as the relationship between genetics and lifestyle choices that determine how you feel and look.
The genetic aspect, which in Chinese medicine is set at the time of conception, never changes. Environmental factors will cause body constitution shifts over your lifetime and across seasons. Some examples include factors such as diet, exercise, stress, exposure to illness, and living conditions.
Each season affects your body constitution through the impact of environmental changes, emotional stressors, and dietary needs. Keeping your body healthy in the winter means making sure you know the current state of your body constitution.
Understanding body constitution will help you work proactively to ensure your health. You will be able to shape eating and lifestyle behavior choices that stave off illness and disease and create a healthier and happier life! Studies have shown that people have regret when they live in a state of sub-optimal health or allow their loved ones to do the same. This guilt worsens when sub-optimal health turns into a serious disease. The goal here is to help you live everyday working towards optimal health.
Seven types of constitutions make up the core. The following terms are ones you will most commonly encounter: 1) Neutral (Yin-Yang harmonious), 2) Hot, 3) Yin-deficient, 4) Yang- deficient, 5) Phlegm-damp, 6) Qi-deficient, and 7) Blood-stagnated.
You will learn more about these in later lessons. First, you need to know your body constitution.