The Shaoyang-Type Person: Two In, One Out, and Slow Breathing

The Shaoyang-type structure is almost a mirror image of the Shaoyin type:

Two in, one out: this is the Shaoyang-type person, whose pulse lü are Taicu and Linzhong. The Shaoyang pulse oscillates six fen; with slow breathing and an intercalated pulse of four movements, qi travels six cun—this is normal.

Shaoyin is “two out, one in,” whereas Shaoyang is “two in, one out.”

The same four movements can have completely different directionality

This is one of the most important features of the Mirror Classic’s individual classification.

If one records only “four movements per breath,” Shaoyin and Shaoyang collapse into the same category. Once the direction of respiratory entry and exit is added, they can be separated.

The total pulse count is therefore only a low-dimensional summary. More information lies in the ordering of entry and exit.

Shaoyang also oscillates six fen

“Qiheng” places both Shaoyin and Shaoyang at six fen, and the individual chapters agree.

The distinction between Shaoyin and Shaoyang therefore lies not in oscillation amplitude but in entry-exit direction, lü names, and leaping morphology.

“Slow and extended breath” connects with Sanjiao

The text says:

Slow and extended breathing means form and qi have already crossed and completed within Sanjiao.

It then discusses the downward transport of Sanjiao, the distinctions among Foot Shaoyang, Taiyin, and Taiyang, and finally dispersion into Moyuan.

The respiratory pattern of the Shaoyang-type person is thus reconnected with Sanjiao as a whole-body pivot of qi transformation.

Pathology is still judged as deviation from the normal route

For example, the source associates a pulse that enters obliquely upward from Cun with heat in the Heart and diaphragm, thirst, and dry tongue; a pulse that exits at the thenar eminence is paired with counterflow qi and panting.

These are not isolated disease labels. They become diagnostic only after the pulse has moved in a direction it should not take.

The next article turns to the Yangming type, which also oscillates three fen but shows three-in-one-out and distinct surging-leaping versus slippery-leaping waveforms.