Connecting To Nature: Yoga & The Air Element

In Ayurveda it is believed that every person is made up of a combination of five basic elements (Panchamahabhuta); Space (Akash); Air (Vayu); Fire (Agni); Water (Jal) and Earth (Prithvi) and these elements combine in the human body to form three fundamental energies called doshas: Vata (Air + Space), Pitta (Fire + Water) and Kapha (Earth + Water). 

As the elements are already within us why not connect them to the natural world and incorporate nature and its elements into our daily yoga practice.

Allied with the Anahata or heart chakra (located over the sternum.) the air element and heart chakra are associated with love, freedom, openness, mobility, positivity, and intellect. 

When the air element is balanced, we are able to give and receive love, are open and compassionate and feel motivated and creative. . When the air element is unbalanced we can feel withdrawn, lacklustre and uninterested in what’s going on around us and allow our minds to wander.

There are a number of ways to bring balance to the air element in our yoga practice, we can:

• Bring awareness to your breath
• Include a flow sequence to our practice
• Try breathing techniques such as Alternate Nostril Breathing
• Practice chest-opening yoga poses as well as other asanas that help you connect to the air.

Here a few examples of asanas that can help you connect with the air element.

Sukhasana (Easy Pose)

• Sitting in our cross-legged position cross your right ankle over your left,
• Relax your legs down as close to the floor as you comfortably can.
• Place your palms on your knees.
• Lengthen your tailbone and sit up tall and straight.
• Give yourself a hug and massage your left shoulder.
• When you’re ready, change the cross of your legs and give yourself another hug and massage your right shoulder.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

• Lying with the front of your body on the mat, place your forehead on the floor or on a folded blanket in front of you. Your hands are by your sides and your toes point to the back of the room.
• Bring your hands by your chest, inhale and raise your head, shoulders and front of the body keeping your pubic bone grounded onto the mat.
• Exhale and push your palms down into the mat and raise the front of your body as high as you can comfortably go, looking straight ahead.

(Bitilasana/Marjaryasana) (Cat/Cow Pose)

• Lower your knees to the floor and put your hands in front of you so you’re on all fours.
• Keeping your arms straight, place your palms directly under your shoulders maintaining a neutral spine.
• Inhale and drop your belly and roll your shoulders back into Cow Pose.
• Exhale, press your palms into the floor and arch your back, dropping your tailbone into Cat Pose.
• Repeat this sequence a few times to help relieve tension in your back.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

• Lie with the front of your body on your mat
• Rest one side of your head on the floor or rest your forehead on a folded blanket in front of you
• Placing your chin on the floor bend your knees and take hold of the outer edges of your feet or ankles
• Keeping your knees hip-distance apart inhale and raise your chin off the floor and look straight in front of you
• Exhale and push the soles of your feet up towards the ceiling lifting your thighs off the floor whilst pressing your belly to the floor and lifting your chest.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)

• Lying flat on your back with your legs straight out in front of you and your arms by your side and palms facing upwards, bend your knees and place your feet firmly into the mat.
• Bring your heels towards your buttocks and point your knees towards the ceiling.
• Inhale and begin to raise your buttocks off the floor.
• Tighten your buttock and thigh muscles and push your pelvis, lower back and front of body towards the ceiling so your body is resting on your shoulders.
• On the exhale move your arms so they are under your body, from here you can place your hands on the back of your waist to provide extra support ensuring your upper arms are still in contact with the floor.
• Walking your heels towards your shoulders push your pelvis, hips and front of body up a little more.
• Tuck your chin in towards your chest to lengthen the back of your neck.
• If this is comfortable for you stay here but if you want to challenge yourself a little further you can come up onto your toes.
• To come out of the posture, exhale and bring your arms down by your sides with your palms facing downwards and uncurl your spine slowly back down to the floor.
• Relax your back and then stretch your legs out in front of you, keeping your arms relaxed by your sides.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

• Begin in a kneeling position with your knees hip-distance apart and your toes pointing to the back of the room flat on the floor.
• Keeping your pelvis over your knees lean back, curling your back gently as far as you can go and grab your heels, lifting your heart and relaxing your throat.

Natarajasana (Lord Of The Dance Pose)

• Standing in Tadasana with your weight on your right foot, lift your left heel up towards your left buttock and bend your knee.
• Keeping your standing leg straight and strong and your torso upright reach your left hand back and grasp you’re the outside of your left foot or ankle.
• Lift your left leg up slowly and extend the left thigh behind you.
• When you have balance stretch your right arm in front of you.