We are all different and effective anti-aging measures take that into account,
says Manon Pilon, President and CEO of Laboratoires Druide
A glance at the huge number of books that have been published on diet, beauty and interpersonal relationships shows that very few ask the fundamental question, “Who are you?” Yet we know, intuitively, that we are all different! This is simply common sense. Rejuvenation treatments that work for some can be completely ineffective, or even dangerous, for others. Genetic makeup varies considerably from one person to another. Universal anti-aging remedies are an illusion, and any anti-aging treatment that is based on the idea that we are all alike is doomed to fail.
Why is it that John eats constantly but seems to burn calories, never putting on any weight? And why does Jane, who never exercises, still manage, at 50, to have the body of a teenager? Why do not the same causes always have the same effects?
It is quite simple: men’s and women’s bodies fall into four main types, which stem from genetic inheritance. The genetic mixes that occur from generation to generation mean that we have a dominant type in our makeup, along with traits that are characteristic of another type. This is why the same causes can have quite different body types.
Three principals govern my approach:
- The anti-aging cure is holistic: it takes into account a person’s body, mind and emotions.
- The anti-aging cure is personalized: it is adapted to each person’s lifestyle and body type.
- The anti-aging cure is coherent: all advice and treatments are interrelated. They are design to be synergy with each other.
My approach is also founded on two types of procedures:
- My anti-aging cure starts with a precise, meticulous, evaluation, to gather as much detailed information as possible, which enables me to:
* Identify the morphological group to which the person belongs: ample or angular
* Identify the person’s morphological type: red oval / green square/ yellow rectangle / or white circle
* Identify the person’s coloring to discover the underlying temperament
* Assess a person’s present a state of health, discover any past health problems and eliminate the possibility of contraindications
* Assess a person’s lifestyle habits with regard to exercise, diet, skincare, inter-personal relationships and stress.
- My anti-aging cure gives you both advice and treatment:
* Advice on prevention and maintenance for those who are in generally good health and want to stay that way
* Advice on suitable remedies for those who show signs of aging or have a health problem that has been diagnosed by a physician. What is important for these people is relieving their symptoms, and the treatment looks at the underlying cause of these symptoms.
Methodology
My approach is based on “precise, meticulous observation’’ of each individual. It seeks to discover each person’s unique characteristics, offering a holistic, personalized and coherent approach. It is only by taking into account the rich complexity of each person that we can work together on an efficient preventive treatment. Truly understanding the profound richness of a person requires keeping our eyes wide open in order to be able to see and observe.
I describe the observation as ‘precise’ because it invites us to look with a fresh approach and to appreciate a host of subtle details that we often disregard. The observation is ‘meticulous’ because it is systematic. By following a precise sequence of steps, we avoid hasty conclusions and learn to listen to our observations.
Each person being unique, the goal of the method is not to label everyone as a particular type, but rather to make use of typology to help us better understand ourselves. This requires a certain rigor that we must try to maintain throughout the entire morphological evaluation process.
Two very important questions are: What’s my type and What do I have to do to look younger and feel better? Finding the answers will provide you with the means to know yourself better and it will show you how to make the best use of your resources.
I realized that the five elements belonging to Chinese medicine, (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) and the three doshas belonging to Ayurvedic medicine (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) did not correspond to what I had observed in my practice as accurately as did the four temperaments described by Hippocrates: sanguine, bilious, nervous and lymphatic.
Consequently, I concentrate on those four categories, but quickly introduced two distinctions. First of all, rather than using the flux of the four bodily humors (blood, yellow bile, black bile and lymph) observed by Hippocrates as a starting point to define each temperament, I used the general shape of a person’s body and associated a particular skin tone with each one. This is how I established my four categories, which I call Red Oval / Green Square / Yellow Rectangle / White Circle.
For me, the most important feature is the skeletal structure, the body’s frame. On first glance, a person’s dominant shape will be clear by observing the skeletal structure. On closer observation, looking as well as touching will help us to determine the texture and the overriding skin tone: red, green, yellow or white.
Each body type has its own distinctive characteristics. This is a simple concept that can be illustrated with a few concrete examples:
- Red Oval: Love sweets
- Green Square: Hunger for savory or fatty food
- Yellow Rectangle: Have a passion for chocolate
- White Circle: Tend to love candy
Similarly, each body type tends towards the same choices when it comes to nutrition, exercise, skincare and interpersonal relationships. In and of themselves, these tendencies, or predispositions, are neither good nor bad. It is the possibility of doing them in excess that can pose a problem.
Establishing your body type will also give you some psychological profile and this will help to know better, as well as your neighbor and this is when it because very interesting! Just to give you an idea, there are some examples.
In a healthy organism, the beauty of the whole is always preserved as time passes. The signs of accelerated aging are reversible: they can disappear if you find a lifestyle in which your body is well-exercised, well-oxygenated, well-nourished and relaxed. Again, in regards of lifestyle and exercise, your body type will react in different ways and it is important to know certain facts that will help you to take fully advantage of your action. Some examples:
Red Oval – Physical exercise
Few things they have a tendency to do – Because they are reckless or impulsive, they tend to over exercise. For example, they will pedal too quickly for their tendons, or lift weights that are too heavy for their muscles.
Few things they should not do – Avoid exercises that you do standing up. It would be preferable to do your cardio exercises on a bicycle, for example.
Few things they should do – In general, the objective of physical exercise is to correct, at an early stage, the imbalances to which they are subject.
Red Ovals have to fight against their propensity to vasodilatation in the arteries and veins.
Red Oval – Nutrition
Cut out half of all food such as pasta, cheese or bread that contain yeast, sugar or any of the other substances that digestion converts into sugars or toxins.
One of the advantages of being a red oval is that you do not need anti-wrinkle cream!
Green Square – Physical exercise
Few things they have a tendency to do – By nature, they are extremists. When it comes to exercise, they either do a lot or none at all. One thing is for sure: they do not take half measures. They will arrange it so that there is a bit of an exclusive side to their training sessions.
Few things they should not do – there are no exercises that they should avoid. They are naturally talented and can do anything.
Few things they should do – what makes them age is uncontrolled stress. Rebalancing their nervous systems, giving a greater role to the sympathetic system, can keep them looking young.
Green square – Nutrition
Unfortunately, they should avoid the three things they most like: salt, carbohydrates and saturated fats!
The amount of stress a green square experiences directly affects the oxygenation of various levels of his or her skin.
Yellow Rectangle – Physical exercise
Few things they have a tendency to do – They tend to begin things but never finished them. At the first visit to the gym, for example, they will try all the machines, they do not want to be seen as ignorant novices.
Few things they should not do – it is best if they not begin working out at the gym by themselves, a trainer advice will give them a program that is both clear and adapted to their needs.
Few things they should do – it is generally recommended that they do exercises that will make them slow down and breathe.
Yellow Rectangle – Nutrition
They need to be munching on something all day.
Three things characterize their skin: an accumulation of dead skin, a poor hydrolipic balance and clearly inadequate oxygenation.
White Circle – Physical exercise
Few things they have a tendency to do – the main tendency is to do nothing. They claim that it is because they do not have enough time. And it is true that they are very busy, looking after others!
Few things they should not do – they should certainly not exercise rapidly or with heavy weights. Their hearts and their muscles are not ready for such exercise.
Few things they should do – since they are always interested in going for a walk, they can use this opportunity and take their kids to the park.
White Circle – Nutrition
The first and only thing they should avoid is the one thing they crave for: sugar.
Their epidermis, which is in contact with the air, is often too dry.
Having become aware of your assets and inclinations, use the best tips to help you age better. By following your natural paths, you can directly influence the workings of the cells of your body. I hope this was fun and will help you based on your body type!
Manon Pilon is the President and CEO of Laboratoires Druide® and EuropeLab Laboratory®, the largest manufacturer of organic certified skin care and personal care products in North America, as well as VP of Research and Development of the Nelly De Vuyst® Laboratory, Founder of Derme&Co and Owner and CEO of CurAge Med Spa in Montreal. She has been honored with several awards for achievements in the spa and medical spa field, and is the author of the book ANTI-AGING – THE CURE – Based on Your Body Type!
