Yoga and The Five Elements (Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) - Yoga Bound

Yoga And The Five Elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth) - ...
http://www.yogabound.com/yoga-and-the-fiveelements-space-air-f...
! " # $ % & ' (
About Us
Services & Training
Festivals & Events
Wellness
Travel
Resources
Business Directory
Shopping
Yoga And The Five Elements (space, air, fire,

water, and earth)
SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 by YOGABOUND | Leave a Comment
AddThis
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 ofdrushti: 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
1 of 8
02/08/2016, 14:52
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.
Pranayamais 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 ofbandha. 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.
2 of 8
02/08/2016, 14:52
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.
Asanais 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.
AddThis
[Translate]
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
NAME *
3 of 8
02/08/2016, 14:52
EMAIL *
WEBSITE
COMMENT
POST COMMENT
NOTIFY ME OF FOLLOW-UP COMMENTS BY EMAIL.

NOTIFY ME OF NEW POSTS BY EMAIL.
SEARCH THIS WEBSITE
Payment Form
Journey to the Island of the Gods
Total cost is $2995.00
YOUR FULL NAME
Amount you will be paying:
4 of 8
02/08/2016, 14:52
Deposit: $500.00
First Installment: $1247.50
Final Payment: $1247.50
Pay in Full: $2995.00
Spambot blocker question
5 - 2 =
MAKE PAYMENT
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Follow us on FaceBook
CATEGORIES
Articles
Australia
Ayurveda
Bali
5 of 8
02/08/2016, 14:52
Cambodia
Central & South America
China
Europe
Events
Featured
Holistic Healing
India
India 2010
Inspiration
Laos
Luminaries
Main
Meditation
Myammar
New Zealand
Philosophy
Pranayama
Retreats
Slider
Southeast Asia
Thailand
The Chakras
The Practice
Tradition/History
Travel
Turkey
Uncategorized
USA
6 of 8
02/08/2016, 14:52
Vietnam
WellBeing
Wisdom
Yoga for Kids and Teens
Yoga Lifestyle
ABOUT US
Welcome to Yoga Bound.
Sign Up for our Newsletter.
We created this community so

that teachers, healers and other
holistic therapists could
NAME
promote their knowledge and

services to those seeking healthier and more
effective ways of living. Thanks for being a part
First
Last
of this healing and holistic community. read

more
EMAIL
Tags
adventures
ayurveda
7 of 8
asana
ashtanga ashtanga yoga
bandha
benefits
bound
buddhism
02/08/2016, 14:52
chakra
drushti
chakras consciousness detox diet doshas
energy
exercise freedom god
hatha yoga healing
patanjali personal health
SEARCH THIS WEBSITE
meditation
pranayama pregnancy
relaxation science of life spirituality

vinyasa
SUBMIT
great spirits
health holistic india
inspiration kundalini liberation
travel
techniques
yoga yoga master yoga
practice yoga sutras yoga technique
COPYRIGHT 2016.
8 of 8
02/08/2016, 14:52

Yoga and The Five Elements (Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) - Yoga Bound

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Yoga and The Five Elements (Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) - Yoga Bound

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Yoga And The Five Elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth) - ...

! " # $ % & ' (

Services & Training

Festivals & Events

Yoga And The Five Elements (space, air, fire,

Yoga and the Element Space

concentration. The superficial application of space is sustained concentration. The subtle

NOTIFY ME OF FOLLOW-UP COMMENTS BY EMAIL.

SEARCH THIS WEBSITE

Amount you will be paying:

Welcome to Yoga Bound.

Sign Up for our Newsletter.

We created this community so

promote their knowledge and

of this healing and holistic community. read

ashtanga ashtanga yoga

chakras consciousness detox diet doshas

exercise freedom god

hatha yoga healing

patanjali personal health

SEARCH THIS WEBSITE

relaxation science of life spirituality

health holistic india

inspiration kundalini liberation

yoga yoga master yoga

practice yoga sutras yoga technique

You might also like