Aspects of posture and personality described by a typology of muscle tonus patterns

Abstract

In this paper, it is proposed that some variations in generally fixed muscle tonus found in people are linked to postural patterns and personality. It is suggested that the pattern originates from, or at least matches, dorsal-ventral undulation, an evolutionarily early form of locomotion. Drawings demonstrate, with simple line, how muscle tonus patterns define whole bodies and individuals, much in the same way that cartooning does. In addition, whole-body mental imagery provides a kinesthetic experience of the concepts and types. New tools for dance movement therapy, body psychotherapy, and kinesthetically based postural reeducation could arise from the concepts. This variety of physical typology has not been previously proposed, though we notice the types in everyday life and in cartooning.

Keywords:

• embodiment
• mental imagery
• personality types
• posture

Notes

Note

1. To get a sense of this paper's concepts quickly, it is recommended that the reader look ahead to the figures and illustrated charts.