The natural world — and all living things in it — is made up of elements. Some elements will be more dominant than others, yet, in ayurvedic teachings, maintaining a balance between them is key to overall physical and emotional wellbeing. These elements carry through into everything you do and feel. Yoga can help you become aware of how these elements interact within yourself, so you can work to foster balance. However, you must first understand what each element is, and how it affects and interacts with the others. Learn more about that connection and how you can maximize it in your practice with this guide.

Making Yoga a Part of Your Life

Yoga is more than a form of exercise; it is a way of life that increases your awareness of and connection to the surrounding world. For many people, that includes awareness of other living creatures. As a result, some choose to adopt a vegan diet that focuses on health with options like fruits, vegetables and red superfood. However, not all yogis are vegan. For example, a Sattvic diet includes dairy products. This further incorporates teachings about the elements and how they interact within the body. Regardless of whether you include animal products, you will want to eschew chemicals and embrace the healing power of foods.

Increasing Awareness of Yourself and Your Surroundings

As you grow and make yoga a part of your overall lifestyle, you can begin to understand and appreciate these five elements that are present in everything.

• Water: A natural healing force, water flows throughout the world. It represents the flexibility — both physical and mental — that allows you to flow with the currents of life. Within the natural world, if something is a liquid state, it is governed by the rules of water. 

• Air: Most commonly linked with each breath, air is the element of movement within the body. It is involved with contracting and expanding through breath and movement, and it can be called upon to help cool internal flames that have gotten too hot. Think of taking a few deep, calming breaths to calm down when you are angry; that is the cooling effect of air.  

• Earth: Anything that is solid is considered the realm of earth. It is connected with strength, stability and safety. 

• Fire: A powerful element, fire represents transformation. It is capable of changing other elements from one state to another. For example, fire can turn ice (earth) to water, and ultimately to gas (air). Many yoga traditions call upon the fire element to spur inner energy and passion.

• Ether: This lesser-known yet incredibly important element is considered the mother of the other four. It is akin to space and is known as the place where all other elements begin and end. In yoga practice, this space is the gateway to deeper spiritual understanding and enlightenment. 

Choosing Yoga Poses to Better Connect With the Elements

You can select poses that cultivate certain elements to maintain internal balance. In sun salutations, the flowing movement from one pose to the next can help you connect to the fire element.  Plank pose and boat pose, both of which engage the core, are also excellent for stimulating internal fire. Cat/cow is a perfect example of a pose that encourages fluidity and movement — the water element — while cobra and upward-facing dog encourage the opening of the lungs and expansion, making them an excellent opportunity to welcome air into your yoga practice. On the other hand, the warrior poses help increase stability and promote grounding through the earth element.

Conclusion 

Yoga has gained in popularity as more people become aware of its many benefits, including better overall health, reduced stress and increased flexibility. The many aspects of yoga also encourage a deeper connection with and understanding of the natural world through exploration of the five elements.