YOGA & THE PANCHAMAHABHUTAS
How understanding the 5 elements of Nature can enhance and support health and wellness.
As old as the earth and the very substance of everything in the universe are the 5 Elements, The Panchamahabhutas. Made up of Earth -Prithvi, Fire - Agni, Water - Jal, Air - Vayu & Ether - Akasha. These are the building blocks in everything around us and yes, everything inside us too.
According to the Ayerveda system, the sister science to yoga, each of us is born with a unique combination of the 5 elements. This unique combination of elements make up our dosha.
Vatta Dosha is created by Air & Ether.
Pitta Dosha is a combination of Fire & Water.
Kapha Dosha is Water & Earth.
Understanding your own dosha along with what shifts you in and out of balance is the first step to utilizing the 5 elements as a tool to promote health and support wellness.
Let’s take a closer look at each element, their unique qualities and properties with a corresponding yoga practice.
PRITHVI ELEMENT - Earth
“To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.”
The Earth element, Prithvi is all about being calm, grounded and safe. Connected to our Mulhadhara Chakra, the root chakra embeded with our sense of survival, need for stability and belonging. Prithvi is the most dense of all elements and makes up the solid matter of the universe. The element is cool, rough, heavy and stable. It represents the structure of our bodies, our bones, flesh, skin and it gives us shape and form. When the earth element is out of balance we may experience issues with our skin, hair, muscles and bone. We may also experience exhaustion, weakness, lack of flexibility or loss of appetite. Practice this Prithvi Namaskar - Earth Salutation to feel a sense of grounding and stability.
AGNI ELEMENT - Fire
Our Manipura Chakra, located in the solar plexus, is connected to this element of fire. Both the Agni element and Manipura chakra inspire our confidence, discipline and motivation. This element represents heat, light, digestion, metabolism and transformation. When our inner flames are strong it provides energy for the body. Our sense of independence and motivation is fueled by this element and when in balance we are able to tap into emotions associated with power like our inner strength, confidence, motivation and ability to change. When our fire is excessive and over-heating we are susceptible to moods like arrogance, anger and irritability. Running cold we we feel self conscious and are prone to episodes of self pity. Agni imbalances may show up as inflammation, fever and digestive problems.
In our yoga practice, we tune into strength and confidence stimulated through our movements and we strive to find balance between ease and effort. Our intention is not to overheat but instead to develop and cultivate a balanced slow burn. As we physically challenge ourselves we feel an inner sense of confidence building.
Enjoy this practice.
“Set your life on fire, seek those who fan your flames.”
JAL ELEMENT - Water
Connect and flowing through our Sacral Chakra, the water element connects us to our sense of pleasure, sensuality, creativity and flow.
Water is a very fluid, nourishing, and sustaining element. The qualities are soothing, cleansing and nourishing and it allows us to connect into our feelings and emotions. When water is in balance we enjoy flexibility, we have fun and we think creatively. Out of balance we can get stuck, closed down, shut down and inflexible.
The water element is responsible for all fluids in our bodies- our saliva, our blood, our reproductive fluids, our digestive fluids- so we need to have enough of the water element to maintain the smooth working of the body.
“All know that the drop merges into the ocean but few know that the ocean merges into the drop.”
As we practice let us be inspired by some of the qualities of water like fluidity, strength, patience, determination and resilience. Let’s invite these qualities into our movements and flow so that we may be fresh and healthy and not become stuck and stagnant.
Enjoy this fluid flow.
VAYU ELEMENT - Air
Associated with the Anahata Chakra, our heart chakra and the center of our balance and love, we are able to experience loving and compassionate awareness, intellect and lightheartedness.
The Air element represents all forms of motion including blood circulation, the movement of breath, energy, our thoughts and locomotion. When in balance, air gives us a lightness and a sense of buoyancy, and when off kilter we can feel anxious and indecisive. This imbalance can cause an inability to be and stay present as well as create conflict in our relationships. An air imbalance can also cause disruptions in our immune system and hormone production.
“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”
Deep, diaphragmatic breathing, ujjayi breath and channel-clearing breathes like Nadi Shodhana are helpful at stimulating the air element. In our asana practice we focus on agility, mobility and a balanced breath. Avoid rushing or moving sluggishly, but find a pace that is light and easy, with an emphasis on staying present in the moving transitions of the practice.
Enjoy this practice and stay present and connected to your breath.
AKASHA ELEMENT - Ether
Spacious, open-minded, universal consciousness: these are the properties of Ether, the element closely connected to the Visshudha Chakra, our throat chakra, the energy center responsible for our communication, connection to truth and integrity as well as our sense of acceptance and connection.
This element governs the space in our bodies including the space in our cells. When this element becomes unbalanced, it can create blockages. Energetically we feel closed off with a sense of having not enough time or space and when in balance we experience clear truthful expression and connection.
“In truth, there is enormous space in which to live our everyday lives”
The best practice to bring Ether into balance is meditation, especially the practice of connecting into our own inner vastness. Meditation helps us to remember that the space inside ourselves is the same vast space within all other beings, and it is in this space that reality exists.
In this practice we will focus on creating space in the body and focus on opening into our throat chakra - Vissudha, our ‘Place of Purification”
“Live a life of harmony. Balance the elements of life around you. Seek truth, stability and love.
Say thank you everyday.”