What is Energy Profiling?
Energy profiling is an interactionist model for understanding how people naturally move through life. It is based on the four elements in which everything is comprised of: air, water, fire, and water. It was designed by an energy therapist by the name of Carol Tuttle. Her model suggests that although we are made up of all four energy expressions, we lead with one. This is called our dominant energy expression. It expresses itself through physical features, our behaviours, and more. Going further, she suggests that we have a secondary, complimentary, energy type that also influences us in a far more subtle way. This system is about understanding other people through honouring their energy expression rather than demonizing them for not doing things the way you would. My natural tendency is to be disorganized and random, but I'm going to try and keep things structured for the sake of making it easier to read.
Type 1: Air / Nitrogen
Key Words
Light
Buoyant
Animated
Carefree
Random
Movement: Light, buoyant (Yin) Upwards & Outwards (Yang)
Examples in nature : Humming bird & aspen trees.
Strength : Ideas; "I have an idea and it is possible!"
Weakness : Often too many ideas; "You dropped the ball." "You never follow through."
Thought process: Disconnected, often has to explain "train of thought".
Feeling expression: Doesnt feel too deep or for too long. Criticized for not being serious.
Behaviour: They like to make people smile & laugh. Their motivation is to have fun with people.
Body language
Walk: "Skip in their step", light footed
Sit: Can't sit still & if they have to, their mind wanders in imagination.
Speech: Lots of animation and pitch rising and falling. "Can I speak to your mother please?"
Diction: Fun and animated. Often likes to make up silly words.
Doodling: Cartoons, characatures.
Personal space: Leaves a lot of stuff out. Considered messy.
Type 1: Water / Oxygen
Key Words
Fluid
Flowing
Demure
Muted
Connected
Movement: Soft, relaxed (Yin) Calmly moving inwards (Yin)
Examples in nature : Elephants & the Mississippi River
Strength : Detail; "What do I need to know to make a plan and move forward?"
Weakness : Moves slower; "You're too detail oriented!" "Just hurry up!"
Thought process: Flowing thoughts connecting past, present, and future. Nostalgic/foresight.
Feeling expression: Deep feeling. When upset they tend to feel guilty.
Behaviour: They like to make people comortable.
Body language
Walk: steady strides
Sit: sitting as comfortable as possible, "melt into couch"
Speech: Soft spoken, often accused of mumbling.
Diction: "Appropriate" so everyone is comfortable. Often shushes to make comfort atmosphere.
Doodling: Connected, waving, loopy.
Personal space: The pile maker.
Type 3: Fire / Hydrogen
Key Words
Active
Reactive
Dynamic
Texturized
Movement: Swift, intense (Yang) Abruptly pushing forward (Yang)
Examples in nature : Tiger & Grand Canyon
Strength : Action; "Let's get to work & let's get it done!"
Weakness : Often pushy; "You're too intense." "Slow down."
Thought process: Result oriented. Compartmentalized. "What's the point?"
Feeling expression: Readily expresses with great passion.
Behaviour: Multi-taskers that leave a lasting expression without intending to.
Body language
Walk: "bull in a China shop", heavy footed, get it done quickly
Sit: Can sit still if they are engaged. If they see no point they want to leave.
Speech: Lots of animation and pitch rising and falling. "Can I speak to your mother please?"
Diction: Raspy, sassy.
Doodling: Points, angles, filled in compartments
Personal space : Knows where everything is. There's a place for everything.
Type 4: Earth / Carbon
Key Words
Constant
Still
Structured
Movement: Bold, structured (Yang) Reflective (Yin)
Examples in nature : Iceberg & Reflecting lake
Strength : Perfecting; "What can we do to make it better & then duplicate it?"
Weakness : Perfectionist; "I could have done better."
Thought process: Black or white. Quick overview of whole picture & judgement.
Feeling expression: Doesn't really show feelings. Is private. But when they do its blunt.
Behaviour: Very critical and no nonsense. They are their own authority. Probably very skeptical about this model because its trying to tell them who they are.
Body language
Walk: Statuesque, poised (a lot of models tend to be type 4)
Sit: Can sit still & quiet for extended periods of time.
Speech: Clear & deep.
Diction: Clear & concise. Able to communicate clearly.
Doodling: Doesn't doodle. It would be a waste of paper. Instead they like to edit. If not literally, then editing with their mind.
Now, what do you think YOUR dominant type is? I am a type 1 if you haven't already gathered.
Energy Profiling & Types
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