Aesthetics is all around us, in nature, art, the human body.
Before I go into detail let’s take a look at the word Aesthetics, and what it means!
This is an excerpt from one of the online dictionaries:
adjective. The definition of aesthetic is being interested in how something looks and feels. An example of someone who is aesthetic might be an artist. Aesthetic means the pleasant, positive or artful appearance of a person or a thing.
The first known use of the word was in 1797, it was primarily used in a way to express the philosophy of art. I like to feel it is more of a holistic word that aptly describes flow and harmony, these elements can be seen everywhere, if you look close. We can see the aesthetic beauty in the animal kingdom, Lions, Tigers, Exotic Birds, Reptiles. Note the harmony displayed within the stripes of a Zebra, or the uniform beauty of a Leopards spots.
Harmony is not purely visual, it is both mind and spirit, a balance of all elements bring together true aesthetics. The art of Bodybuilding can reflect true aesthetics, if close attention is paid to harmony, symmetry and balance, the ability to use various apparatus to add muscle, to create light and shade! It is this flow of light and shade that creates the visual harmony and symmetry in the Human Physique!
An attention to detail is vital, and a less is more approach tends to do more for aesthetics than a mindset obsessed with abundance, or dominance of one element of the physique. We often hear the word balance used when referring to the mind, and for that matter our dietary habits. To eat with aesthetics in mind, means taking an approach of balance, to deliver exactly what the body needs in the correct ratios.
In fact the Golden Ratio can be seen across nature and all living things. The golden ratio (symbol is the Greek letter “phi” shown at left) is a special number approximately equal to 1.618 It appears many times in geometry, art, architecture and nature.
Some of the greatest mathematical minds of all times, from Pythagoras and Euclid in ancient Greece, through the medieval Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa and the Renaissance astronomer Johannes Kepler, to present-day scientific figures such as Oxford physicist Roger Penrose, have spent endless hours over this simple ratio and its properties. … Biologists, artists, musicians, historians, architects, psychologists, and even mystics have pondered and debated the basis of its ubiquity and appeal. In fact, it is probably fair to say that the Golden Ratio has inspired thinkers of all disciplines like no other number in the history of mathematics.
The Golden ratio mask is used as a beauty blueprint for professionals in the cosmetic surgery business. It can be placed over an image of a human face and the intersecting points align on faces that we, as Human Beings see as being more attractive, or aesthetic!
When it comes to the art of physique creation, I believe aesthetics should always be the foundation of any smart workout and nutrition program. Sure, there are genetic limitations to what can be changed with the Human Body, however with a smart plan, and a good eye, muscle can be added to the right locations to create the “Illusion” of aesthetics! Our visual senses are one of our strongest senses, and arguably what many of us judge others on, so even if we are not blessed with perfect structure, we can still enhance our God given aesthetics with a well structured, smart plan.
I cover all of my theories on physique creation in my new book, The Aesthetic Bible.
– Steve Jones
Author
The Aesthetic Bible
