Chinese face reading

Chinese Face Reading
for Health

The ancient art of face reading has been used since the time of Confucius by Chinese doctors as an aid to diagnosis and a way of helping their patients. Close observation of the face afforded them a deep knowledge of the personality of their patients.

There were also professional face readers during this time who combined the roles of priest, astrologer and counselor. They were well-educated men with great compassion for human frailty. The Chinese understood the concept that the face represents the energies, health and fortune of a person and they wished to live in harmony with these, and with the prevailing energies of the five elements, yin and yang, and the seasons. This wisdom has seen a huge resurgence in the West during the past 20 years with the growth of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Feng Shui and Qi Gong.
Chinese face reading is as relevant today as it was in the past and its use is cross cultural. We all have a blend of elements and all faces reflect part of nature’s pattern. Face reading first appeared in China during the 6th century BC, possibly as the speciality of “magic men” not affiliated to any religion. It is thought that they were probably Taoist shamans from rural areas such as Szechwan who specialised in non-traditional divinational arts. By 220 BC, the art of face reading was established in Chinese life and classic treatises, such as the Golden Scissors and Bamboo Chronicles, were written at this time.

The Principles of Face Reading
The starting principles of face reading are the cosmic energies of the five elements and yin and yang. The elements are symbols and represent qualities of energy within each person which are reflected in the face. An elaborate physical, psychological and emotional profile can be built up, incorporating the energies of the features, the ‘life points’ of the face, the three divisions from top to bottom (forehead, midface and lower face) which show the nervous, circulatory and digestive systems and the facial zones which represent the internal organs.
Each face is a map of the past, present and future. The past would be described as our inherited constitution, our mother’s pregnancy, our childhood and adolescence, with either difficulties or support in the family, and our early years as we start out in the world. The present reflects our health at the time of the reading. This is something we create ourselves. Coco Chanel said: “We get the faces we deserve”: inappropriate diet, persistent negative emotions, drugs, toxins and stress all contribute to lines, congestion, and colours on the face. The facial zones affected are related to the internal organs under stress. In the same way that the feet are a microcosm of the whole in Reflexology, so the face shows the inner health status and the person behind the persona. The future is not predestined in Chinese philosophy: acts of compassion can lengthen one’s life, and taking greater care with health can resolve possible future symptoms. Sometimes destiny and the ups and downs of life can be improved by facial surgery – correcting squints helps one’s fortunes during the years 35-40. However, nose jobs which expose the nostrils and shorten the nose can affect the end of the 40s!
Balance and proportion are important in face reading, as in Chinese paintings. There needs to be harmony between the mountains (the yang element, represented in the face by the bones) and the rivers, (the yin element which is the soft tissue). Although a face may be considered beautiful by society, in face reading terms it may be too yin (upturned nose, large wide mouth, eyes too far apart, thin eyebrows). Many “waif” models have this look. In our language we have many expressions to describe character traits: “stiff upper lip, pay through the nose, two faced, keeping one’s nose clean, chinless wonder”. We may have forgotten how these came into a language in the first place, but to a face reader the nose is a “money box”, the mouth relates to communication, and the chin signifies determination, ambition and practicality. So, face reading can be used to sum up a person’s energies, to get a health read-out, to assess character, to help gain self knowledge and to plan for good health.

Types of Face
Each of the five elements has a corresponding face shape which tells the face reader that certain energies, talents, or possible health problems may be found in this person’s make up. Most people’s faces show mixed elements and thus harmony or conflict can help to determine how the person will use their energies. Harmony and balance of the elements and features can indicate times of life which are easy, while the converse can mean difficulties, poor health or bad luck. However, all the indications must be taken into account before a full reading can be done. The Chinese also say that the eyes rule the face and that a steady glow or “glitter” in the eyes shows a strong heart-spirit or lack of inner stress which can mitigate against times when the energy will be low. This certain glow of energy indicates that the heart is straight and will enhance good features and modify imbalances. Confucius said: “Look into a person’s pupils – he cannot hide himself”.

The Wood Face
The wood type has a long face and long nose, a broad and high forehead and narrow cheeks. The eyes should have a kindly look, and the hair and eyebrows should not be thick or wiry. The forehead should be high and wide in wood as mental direction is important for this elemental type. Wood has the energy of growth, seeing the overall picture and a vision of the future, planning and seeing through projects. Wood types with balanced faces are leaders, administrators and organisers with strong ideals. They are capable of shouldering much responsibility and willing to work for the benefit of others. They need to grow and achieve, as this is the way they learn about themselves and their path in life. One of the challenges of the wood element is to be able to “see the wood for the trees” and not get enmeshed in structures. The Chinese say that a balanced wood face is a pre-requisite for Government.
The emotion that relates to wood is anger which is also the energy used for growth, development and reaching maturity. It is the desire to assert who we are and to fulfill our vision. When this desire is frustrated and blocked it can become explosive anger (the yang aspect) or implode into depression (yin aspect). If the wood type cannot put out “new twigs” every year the “tree” gets very stunted and this can translate into irritability, frustration and indecisiveness instead of good judgment, self motivation, precision and sound planning. Blockages in the free and easy flow of wood energy makes the liver and gall bladder susceptible to disease as well as causing headaches, digestive problems, gallstones, and ulcers. Foods to be avoided are oily or greasy food, and alcohol. Examples of wood faces are Tony Blair and Prince Charles, although Prince Charles’s eyes are smaller than Tony Blair’s, indicating a more reserved personality.

The Fire Face
The fire type also has a long face with narrow, prominent cheekbones, pointed chin and a more pointed forehead than the wood type. They may have freckles, red, curly or wiry hair, rapid speech and quick body movements. The fire element brings warmth and enthusiasm to the personality with a capacity to inspire and get people “fired up”. They are active and outdoorsy, goal centered, fast paced and adventurous. They can sometimes take crazy risks, and constantly seek stimulation and excitement.
If the fire goes out, the fire type becomes a rather withdrawn and timid character, lacking in joy and motivation. The challenges of the fire element are to find that warmth and positive joy inside. You can see this in the eyes – if the “glitter” or sparkle of the eyes is controlled – think of Ram Das, the spiritual teacher. Excess fire can make you prone to heart problems, anxiety and insomnia or skin rashes. Fire types need to include some bitter foods into their diet from time to time such as chicory, dandelion, and burdock. Blood nourishing foods and herbs are an important consideration for them. Some do very well on ginseng.

The Earth Face
Earth personalities are characterized by short square faces with distinct jawlines, sallow complexions, thickset bodies and deep voices. The features can be large, especially the mouth which relates to the stomach and intestines. Earth has the ability to be still and to build a solid base in life.
Earth types are practical, persevering, reliable, stoical and careful with money and make good treasurers. They are not so dreamy or idealistic as wood types and not as swayed by emotion as water types. They tend towards the traditional ways of doing things and can have problems with worry, food issues, stomach and spleen disorders, and assimilating food (and life) and transforming these into Qi energy. The stomach channel runs along the jaw line and a weak earth can mean no jaw line. Conversely, too much earth can signify a tendency to stubbornness, selfishness and a reluctance to change.
The emotion of sympathy is associated with the earth element – this can manifest as over-caring and nurturing, or a lack of sympathy and inability to nurture oneself. Nutritional advice, supplementation and digestive enzymes are often suitable for earth types. A diet which avoids sugar and dairy is suitable as these foods tend to “blow out” the digestion and create what the Chinese call “damp” – a form of internal mucus which gets trapped in the connective tissue and causes symptoms such as heavy legs, bloating, excess catarrh, muzzy heads and lethargy. The challenges for earth personalities are to be in the material world and to experience fruition, harvest, nurturing of self and others, rhythms, stillness and a sense of being centered and grounded.
Two classic earth shaped faces are David Coulthard, the racing driver, and Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington. Both these faces show the yang aspect of earth which is focused intention.

The Metal Face
The metal face is oval with widely set, chevron cheekbones and a pale complexion. Usually good looking, they have clear, shining eyes with a lot of energy coming out of them. The eyebrows are pale, the speech is clipped and the hair is usually straight. They are good advisers, lawyers and counselors. Metal is the element of the mind.

Birth plan

Babies, babies, babies!

So many women around me are preparing for the most precious stages of their lives. I am honored to be sharing moments that will be remembered in glimpses of their child's growth.

There are many decisions to be made with pre and post pregnancy. Here is a link to a birth plan that may make some things a little easier.

Enjoy!
http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/free_birth_plan/free_birth_plan.php

The student is ready

For as long as I can remember I have always admired and respected my teachers. Looking back and remembering those who made the most impact in my life I largely recall my people in this role as educators. Later in life this role is met by professors and mentors. I am also very blessed to have a variety of health advisors I call upon when I am not feeling well, or when my personal wellbeing can use a little refinement.

As a student myself, I'd often find my peers I could relate to mostly often were Ph.D students, or researchers. It is slightly alienating to not be able to really identify with some of the other students in my class, though I found ease in the alliance with professors and other mentors to really feed my spirit. And occasionally I will meet "peers" that are teaching and can critique their approaches. I try not to delve too much in that mindset, but instead celebrate those I can and do relate to, those who can offer advice, and those whose advice and wisdom I am capable of really putting to heart.

I came across a man at the marketplace one day, who shared with me a special bit of information. I am firm believer in "there are no coincidences" and when "the student is ready, the teacher will appear." I had been looking into Ayurveda a bit, and had just barely scratched the surface of what the various doshas were, and how I could identify along with the constitutional manifestations of these types.

Peter shared in the most gentle voice that my constitution "was a gift." I was delighted to hear this of course, since I had associated some of my "constitution" as a negative trait. We often identify with the negative aspects of our personality and body type. He shared with me he was an Ayurvedic Doctor. I wanted to learn more and asked if he'd be willing to consult.

I had no idea the depth of insight i'd be able to achieve about myself with an hour and half long consult. The questionnaire was the most personal and insightful piece of information i've ever come across.

Peter Malakoff, having studied extensively in India is a wise storyteller, http://www.petermalakoff.com/ a founder of an amazing ghee company, http://www.ancientorganics.com and an incredible physician as well as a man with a delightful sense of humor. For patients, he explains things in depth yet simply. He makes Ayurveda tangible and takes it out of the realm of trendiness, into an ancient art form that has profound results. Prior to meeting with me, he had a vedic astrologer take a look at my chart to determine a little more about my nature and various influences and potentials in my life. I have since developed a relationship with "my chart" and find it to be like a parent in a way.

My world opened up when I learned more about my constitution. Now instead of being so wrapped up in an emotion, food craving or lifestyle habit, I understood it as an imbalance in a certain part of my dosha. The goal of understanding the way these phenomenon relate is not only causal as I had previously understood, but a way of achieving and maintaining balance whether about weight or mood.

Balancing a dual dosha isn't easy to do. So luckily I can call on Peter as needed to refine my approach or ask questions about another bit i'm now ready to include in my regimen. His advice is not just for preventative as I had previously considered the discipline to largely be associated with. Instead, even in acute circumstances, I've found Ayurveda's advice to be incredibly useful. And it's not always simple.

I've found Ayurveda to be very successful at helping with heartache and relationship troubles as well as headaches (all types), insatiable appetite, and low energy. Ayurveda is not only about learning how to live in accordance with the seasons, which can not always be controlled with today's environment but mainly within the realms of understanding our constitution and working continuously on this road of self improvement. To prevent and and eliminate disease, we must look at the cause. Ayurveda is the most comprehensive approach to any manifestation of an imbalance in mind body or spirit. Working with a trusted practitioner like Peter is such a blessing and incredible opportunity.