Lying down, sitting, walking, standing
Posture
Lying down
Being seated
Walking
Standing
Posture
We spend our whole lives, 24 hours a day, either lying down, sitting, standing or walking. There are significant differences in the way the inhaler type and the exhaler type should perform these four physical activities which we call ‘type-compliant posture’. Acting contrary to one’s type rapidly leads to a decline in performance, to indisposition and even to illness. The appropriate type of posture is described below.
Lying down
The position adopted while sleeping is fundamental. Lying down allows our body to recuperate and gather new strength as already described in the section on breathing.
Lying on one’s back assists inhalation. It makes it easier for the chest to expand unhindered. Consequently, this is the position of choice for lunar types.
Solar types should lie on their stomach. This makes active exhalation easier. The bed should be flat and firm.
Being seated
All of us have surely experienced an instant feeling of discomfort at one time or another on sitting down and wanting desperately to find another seat. This is always the case when the seat is totally contrary to type and unsuitable for the user’s body proportions.
When we are seated, the position of the knees and ankles can affect the spine via the pelvis and this can be felt all the way up to the head.
Lunar type
The lunar type prefers to sit with his knees bent, his feet close to his seat and bent hips. A low chair does not pose a problem. The buttocks – as will be described later – are in the contraction zone. Therefore, the weight of the upper body may rest on the buttock muscles.
Without a backrest this leads to very tense posture that the spinal muscles cannot maintain for any length of time; they respond by sending a ‘message’ of pain.
Solar type
The solar type likes to stretch his ankles slightly and turn his toes slightly upwards. His knees are bent and the hips stretched, the latter is impossible when seated. Thus, the natural s-shaped curve of the spine is maintained and his weight is evenly distributed. The spinal muscles are almost completely relaxed. In this position a backrest is superfluous. Thus the solar type can remain seated for long periods without symptoms of fatigue.
Walking
The way we walk is determined by the way we feel. Nevertheless, true-to-type walking is of great importance from a therapeutic point of view. Those who walk true-to-type, rapidly feel well and happy!
The left side of the lunar type is more pronounced. He walks mainly on his heels with short, brisk steps. He starts to walk with his left leg. His upper body is upright and leans slightly forward. The head is held high. The arms swing forcefully.
The right side of the solar type, therefore, is more pronounced. He starts to walk with his right leg and takes long, slow strides. The arms swing gently.
Standing
Standing is connected with static effort, a solar characteristic. Therefore the solar type can also be described as a standing type or serene type. Lunar types avoid standing whenever possible.
The lunar type prefers snapping power and his muscles alternate rapidly between tensing and relaxing. He is the active type.
The lunar type stands primarily on his right leg with knees stretched. His weight rests on his right heel and his upper body leans slightly backwards.
The solar type stands mainly on his left leg and his weight rests primarily on the front of his left foot. His upper body is upright and leans slightly forward.
