{"id":17903,"date":"2021-10-17T01:51:24","date_gmt":"2021-10-17T01:51:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bliss-flow.com\/?p=17903"},"modified":"2021-10-17T01:51:24","modified_gmt":"2021-10-17T01:51:24","slug":"the-5-elements-of-ayurveda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bliss-flow.com\/the-5-elements-of-ayurveda\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Elements of Ayurveda"},"content":{"rendered":"
Understanding the 5 elements of Ayurveda is just as crucial as knowing things like our chakras, doshas, etc. The elements are yet another critical piece to the intricacies of Ayurveda and living a lifestyle in tune with nature. The five elements are ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Each element has associated qualities, and we can incorporate them into our routines to maintain our balance.<\/span><\/p>\n Watch this YouTube video where I explain the 5 elements<\/a> or practice Element Yoga with me here<\/a>.<\/p>\n This element is the first element in Ayurveda and is referred to as \u201cakasha\u201d in Sanskrit. Ether is nothing and everything simultaneously; it makes all movement and life possible yet is the epitome of emptiness. Ether is also known as the space element and is the most subtle of them all. It exists in the space our lungs fill with air, our stomachs when we\u2019re hungry, our sinus cavities, etc. Ether is subtle, light, and clear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The space element is directly associated with the throat chakra. The throat chakra is responsible for our ability to speak and be heard, but also for listening to others. Just as ether is empty, yet encompasses all, our throats are empty but can become filled with our words.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few practices to connect with the ether element:<\/span><\/p>\n Yoga poses for ether should have inversions and plenty of focus. Use poses like:<\/span><\/p>\n Find more yoga for ether here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Subtle vibrations create air in the ether. This element is necessary for all movement and is responsible for creation and conception. The air element has qualities of clarity and movement; we may not see it, but it has a profound impact on our world. Air is invisible yet powerful, dry, and light.<\/span><\/p>\n Air is free and light, and a heart chakra operating on all cylinders is free and light, too. When our heart chakras are balanced and flowing, we give without restriction; we flow like the air and feel as light, too.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few ways to connect with the air element:<\/span><\/p>\n Yoga poses for the air element focus on opening up the chest, heart, and lungs. They also focus heavily on your breathing. Incorporate gentle backbends and sequences with plenty of flow and light movements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Find more yoga for air here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The fire element is called \u201ctejas,\u201d meaning that which heats and converts. FIre is hot, sharp, subtle, dry, and light. Ether is space, and air is movement; that space and movement create the friction fire needs. Fire is responsible for our digestion as well as other forms of transformation and conversion. Like fire turns wood to ash, it also transforms the food we eat into the nourishment our bodies need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The solar plexus chakra is connected to the digestive system, so it is naturally associated with fire. Our digestive fire, or agni, is responsible for transforming our food into nutrients for our bodies. When we experience indigestion, it is usually due to an imbalance or blockage of our solar plexus chakra that leads to a cooling of our digestive fire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few activities to help reignite our fire:<\/span><\/p>\n Yoga poses for fire include asanas focusing on your core. Fire asanas can incorporate arm balances and active backbends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Find more yoga for fire here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The fire element cools to form the condensation that is water. Water is also called \u201caap,\u201d or that which flows and lubricates. Water is cohesion and the ability to change shape. This element is moist, mobile, cold, and liquid. Our bodies are made up of 70% water, and it guides all bodily functions.<\/span><\/p>\n The sacral chakra is responsible for your emotions, sensuality, and creativity. All of those things ebb and flow, just like the water element. Like water, when we stagnate, we become fouled. We are at our best when our emotions, creativity, etc., are free-flowing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few daily practices to connect to the water element:<\/span><\/p>\n Water-focused asanas should include plenty of hip-opening postures that focus on flowing, circular movement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Find more yoga for water here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Earth, or \u201cprithvi,\u201d means that which stabilizes and holds. When water dries, it leaves behind particles that shape and create the earth element. Earth gives shape and structure to all things. This element is heavy, gross, and immobile. If fire is our digestive system and water is the fluid in our bodies, earth is the bones and muscles that structure our bodies.<\/span><\/p>\n The root chakra is responsible for our feelings of groundedness, so it makes perfect sense that this chakra is closely associated with the Earth element. Our root chakra helps us feel rooted mentally, physically, and spiritually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some activities to get grounded with the Earth element:<\/span><\/p>\n Earth element yoga poses are all about your connection to the ground, in this case, your feet, legs, and hips. Pay special attention to your feet during your flows.<\/span><\/p>\n Find more yoga for earth here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Just like doshas and chakras are essential to our well-being, it is crucial to know and understand the 5 elements (and how they interact with doshas, chakras, etc.). The universe is an intricate system seeking balance, and so are our bodies. Once we understand how all of these components interact, we can do our best to develop and maintain routines that align us with ourselves and the world around us.<\/span><\/p>\n Practice Element Yoga with me here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Elements of Ayurveda: Ether<\/span><\/h2>\n
Chakra connection: Throat Chakra<\/span><\/h3>\n
Practices To Connect With Ether<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Yoga Poses For Ether<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Elements of Ayurveda: Air<\/span><\/h2>\n
Chakra connection: Heart Chakra<\/span><\/h3>\n
Practices To Connect With Air<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Yoga Poses For Air<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Elements of Ayurveda: <\/span>Fire<\/span><\/h2>\n
Chakra connection: Solar Plexus Chakra<\/span><\/h3>\n
Elements of Ayurveda: Practices To Connect With Fire<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Yoga Poses For Fire<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Elements of Ayurveda: <\/span>Water<\/span><\/h2>\n
Chakra connection: Sacral Chakra<\/span><\/h3>\n
Elements of Ayurveda: Practices To Connect To Water<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Yoga Poses For Water<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nElements of Ayurveda: <\/span>Earth<\/span><\/h2>\n
Chakra connection: Root Chakra<\/span><\/h3>\n
Elements of Ayurveda: Practices To Connect To Earth<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Yoga Poses For Earth<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe 5 Elements Of Life<\/span><\/h2>\n