Yoga and the Elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth)

Yoga and the Element Space

Space is the primary element within which the four secondary elements emerge, and operate. It is the context within which the others interact. Space qualities are immediacy, emptiness, directness, freedom, and being.

Its fundamental expression is consciousness or awareness, and it is embodied in the technique of drushti: focused, directed attention. It leads to a direct, and deep awareness of that which is occurring, free from imagination, assumption, projection, and expectation. Space is the matrix within which the other elements dance.

Its arena is everywhere, its source is consciousness, its medium awareness, and its control concentration. The superficial application of space is sustained concentration. The subtle application of space is surrender of intention. Establishing space requires the utilization of restraint; the sign of its presence is the opposite, freedom.

Yoga and the Element Air

Air represents mobility: the ability to move freely, lightly, and effortlessly. It is embodied in Pranayama, or the quality of our breathing.

Pranayama is the process of refining the quality of our breathing. By refining our breath it becomes, slow, smooth, soft, and effortless: these qualities then further enhance the quieting of the mind. Focusing on the quality of the breath is the air aspect of practice.

Balanced application of the five techniques is essential to bring about a nurturing balance between the five elements. Overemphasis on air leads to instability; neglect to heaviness.

Yoga and the Element Fire

Fire qualities are transformation, suddenness, intensity, radiance, and inspiration. The fundamental expression of fire is action, bringing about change, and it is embodied in the technique of bandha. Fire is cultivated, and expressed through the application of Uddiyana, Mula, and Jalandharabandha. The focus of this process is Uddiyananbandha.

The arena of fire is the abdomen, its source the solar plexus, its medium the nadis, and its control the throat. The superficial application of fire is to generate heat through momentum. The subtle application is to generate heat through Uddiyanabandha, while using Jalandhara, and Mulabandha to transform, and redirect it.

Establishing fire requires the utilization of subtlety; the sign of its presence is its opposite, radiance.

Yoga and the Element Water

Water qualities are softness, fluidity, adaptability, power, and feeling. The fundamental expression of water is deliberate movement, and it is embodied in the technique of entering, and leaving, arriving, and departing: Vinyasa.

Water is cultivated, and expressed by learning to move effortlessly, softly, and fluidly into, out of, and between Asana. It is supported by repetition, and expressed in synchronicity between breath, and body movement. The arena of water is the pelvis, its source the ball of the foot, its medium the bones, and its control the joints.

The superficial application of water is to allow complete passivity into the muscular system, reducing Asana to stretch. The subtle application is to find the exact synchronization of body movement, and breathing. Establishing water requires the utilization of delicacy; the sign of its presence is its opposite, power.

Yoga and the Element Earth

Earth represents stability: the ability to maintain structural integrity under stress. It is embodied in Asana, or the quality of our yoga postures.

Asana is easy stability in the physical structure, in which each part of the body is aligned with the others, to support the whole effortlessly. By stabilizing the body, our mind also begins to stabilize and is quieted. Focusing on structure utilizing the principles of alignment is the earth aspect of practice.

Balanced application of the five techniques is essential to bring about a nurturing balance between the five elements. Over emphasis on earth leads to rigidity; neglect leads to weakness.