Polarity Prism
www.prismsofreality.com

Note: Much of the theory found herein is taken from Gabriella Tal's writings and is represented here with her expressed permission.

Polarity Therapy is a holistic health care system developed by Dr. Randolph Stone. It views health as a direct manifestation of energetic balance and harmony between the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of one's being. In other words, our physical state of being, at any one moment, is a combination of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energies. Polarity seeks to bring harmony and balance through a system derived from Ayurvedic medicine principles through the use of diet, self-awareness, bodywork and exercise.

Dr. Randoph Stone taught that matter, or physical reality, is just a "condensation" of energy from higher levels of energy vibration to lower levels. To categorize the five energy elements that make up the body, Polarity Therapy distinguishes them into: Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth energies. In essence, there are higher levels of energy, but the five elements are the components of energy that manifest as our physical bodies. They are derived from the Source, the Divine Spirit, and manifest themselves on earth through a "step-down" process, much like a utility will step down generated voltages for residential use. The finest, or least dense element in the body is Ether. From there, the energy is stepped down to Air, then to Fire, then to Water and, finally, Earth. I have written a brief description of each element, after which you can take a self-quiz to determine what is your predominant energy type. You will discover the associated strengths and weaknesses for your type. In addition, at the end of each synopsis, there are affirmations useful to help you reorient your energy when it is unbalanced. The self-quiz is based on questions designed to gather information on your preferences for diet, body type, abnormalities of energy patterns reflected in your physical makeup, and mental/emotional predisposition. Normally, your "type" will remain constant for lengthy periods of time until you have a change in self-awareness to try to physically move your energies into a different direction.

The Five Universal Elements

ETHER

Ether is sometimes called the Light Element. It is the finest of the elements and closest to the Source. The associated primary sense is hearing. The emotions associated with Ether are pride, grief, acceptance, and humility. The physical areas affected by this element are the joints, the throat,the cerebral spinal fluid and the hormonal system. This element also relates to freedom of expression and creativity.

AIR

Air is denser than Ether but lighter than Fire, Water and Earth. It's primary sense is touch and a sense of sour taste. The emotions associated with Air are greed, desire, and contentment. The physical areas affected by this element are the ankles, kidneys, shoulders, lungs, and the respitory and nervous systems. The Air element also relates to issues of ideas, creative thinking, intellectual competence, eccentricity, communication, and emotional disturbances.

FIRE

Fire is denser than Ether or Air, but lighter than Water and Earth. It's primary sense is sight and a sense of bitter taste. The emotions associated with Fire are anger, compassion, and forgiveness. The physical areas affected by this element are the digestive system, the eyes, thighs, stomach, liver and heart. Acute inflammations are generally caused by an excess of Fire. The Fire element also relates to motivation, enthusiasm, excitability, strength, self-confidence, egotism, freedom, impatience, and will power.

WATER

Water is the second densest element, nearest to Earth. It's primary sense is taste and a sense of salty taste. Water associates to all the emotions, but particularly sorrow and joy. The physical areas associated with this element are the breasts, feet, and the reproductive and lymphatic system. The Water element is also associated with intuition, oversensitivity, dreams and the unconscious, yeilding, adaptability, romantic issues, moodiness and addictions.

EARTH

Earth is the densest element. The primary sense is smell and the sense of sweet taste. The emotions associated with Earth are resentment, fear, attachment, letting go, and detachment. The physical areas affected by this energy are the knees, bowels, neck, and the skeletal, muscular and excretory systems. The Earth element also relates to issues of separation, support, patience, self-discipline, persistence, endurance, caution, dependibility, and love for routine and order.

Polarity Self-Quiz

DISCLAIMER: This self-quiz is intended as a humorous look at the complex subject of Polarity. It is hoped that by taking part in this self-quiz, one can gather a "flavor" of what Polarity is all about. This self-quiz is not provided as a "diagnostic" tool but hopefully as an aide to challenge your inner awareness, as Polarity also does. For more specific problems, refer to my links page for more in-depth information on Polarity Therapy or a practicioner near you.

1. What body type do you have?

Lean, long and wiry
Average weight,muscular, well-toned
Slightly overweight, rounded features, cushiony
Heavy but don't look it, solid, full of strength
Other

2. Do you primarily have weaknesses in any of:

Neck, bowels, knees
Eyes, solar plexus, thighs
Shoulders, kidneys, ankles
Throat, joints, hormonal problems
Breast area, reproductive system, feet

3. Check which finger, on either hand, seems different than all the rest:

Thumb
Index
Middle
Fourth
Pinky

4. Check which toe, on either foot, seems different than all the rest:

Big toe
Index
Middle
Fourth
Pinky

5. Check the group that contains your astrological sign:

Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo
Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer
Aquarius, Libra, Gemini

6. What tone or quality would you say your voice has:

Deep, slow-speaking voice
Musical, caring voice
Whispery, spacey voice
Staccato, forceful voice
Breathy, fast-speaking voice.

7. Which color, out of the list that follows, do you like the best?

Blue
Red
Green
Yellow
Orange

8. What food group are you drawn to more?

Tubers like potatoes or yams, roots,hard cheese, sweets
Salad vegetables, greens, melons
Grains, seeds, legumes
Nuts, yogurt, tree-fruit like apples, fermented soft cheeses
Sprouts, seaweed and freshly squeezed juices

9. What is your strength?

Thinking
Being
Feeling
Magnetic Personality
Dependable

10. In your worst moods, you might find yourself saying something like:

I'm worthless!
Uh, oh, I'm stuck.
I want things to go My way!
I'm overwhelmed!
I can't figure it out!

11. In your best moods, you might find yourself saying something like:

I have all I need.
I am a capable and unique person JUST the way I am.
I can wait, there's all the time in the world.
I care about life and others.
I need to take care of myself first.

12. Which statement best categorizes you?

I can understand complex concepts and analyze anything logically.
I need to be around other people to be my happiest.
Lean on me, I can be your strength.
I want to know the Divine in all things.
I can motivate and inspire anyone.

13. At what pace do you like to live life?

I go with the flow.
I'm never still. I'm always doing something.
I'm your average couch potatoe.
You mean life has a pace?
At the pace I set.

14. What exercise do you favor?

Swimming
Walking
Bicycling
Yoga
I don't like to exercise.

15. What paired emotions do feel most often?

Excitement/Anxiety
Defensiveness/Protective
Sexiness/Nurturance
Anger/Enthusiasm
Pride/Humbleness